The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John D. Bonner (MCSN: 0-38551), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy while serving with a Marine attack squadron in Korea. On 10 January 1953, as a member of a flight of Marine attack aircraft, Captain Bonner engaged in an aerial assault against a heavily defended enemy rail bridge near Anju. As Captain Bonner completed a bombing attack in which he scored direct bomb hits, his aircraft was struck by an explosive enemy projectile. With complete disregard for his own safety, the extensive damage to his aircraft and increasing hostile fire, he resolutely pressed low-level strafing attacks on targets of opportunity. Maneuvering with skill and precision despite the severe damage to his engine, he piloted his faltering aircraft 130 miles to a friendly air base where he executed a successful emergency landing. Captain Bonner’s outstanding perseverance and superb airmanship in completing his attack on the enemy contributed substantially to the success of a mission that demolished a vital link in the enemy’s transportation system. His courageous conduct, exceptional initiative and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.