The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Leslie W. Bays (MCSN: 0-38145), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea on 4 June 1951. Captain Bays demonstrated outstanding ability in navigating to the target area under extremely poor weather conditions. He led his flight to a low altitude in order to conduct his mission and soon found an enemy armored column west of the town of Chorwon. Captain Bays immediately began a series of bomb, rocket and strafing attacks, in the course of which he scored four direct hits. One armored vehicle and three trucks were destroyed, and another armored vehicle was damaged. Captain Bays left the burning column and continued his reconnaissance toward the town of Kosong where he found a foot patrol led by a light car. Without regard for his own personal safety, he led a series of expertly executed attacks under the low cloud cover, killing at least twenty of the troops and destroying the light car. Captain Bays’ courageous leadership, efficient actions and fearless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.