The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Henry F. Brandon (MCSN: 0-30018), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Photographic Squadron in Korea. On 2 September 1952, accompanied by 12 jet fighter escort, Captain Brandon flew an unarmed photographic plane on a high priority reconnaissance mission in the Sinuiju-shiho area of North Korea. While approaching his target, a heavily defended enemy power complex, a vastly superior force of enemy jet interceptors attempted to break through his protective escort. Despite the raging air battle, Captain Brandon pressed on to his objective. Over the target area radar controlled anti-aircraft fire, directed at Captain Brandon’s aircraft, became so intense that the pursuing enemy jets were forced to disengage. Although advised to alter course by the escort leader, he disregarded the increasingly exceptionally accurate hostile fire and kept his aircraft at a constant speed and altitude obtaining vitally needed photographs. Captain Brandon’s perseverance and superb airmanship were directly responsible for the success of a mission that secured intelligence information of vital importance to the United Nations’ air and ground forces. His actions were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.