The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Erwin J. Bruchman (MCSN: 0-36007), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving with a Marine Fighter Squadron on 26 October 1951. While on a close air support mission near Oryang-ni, Korea, Captain Bruchman’s flight was directed by an airborne observer to one of the enemy’s main supply routes in the forward area. Ground units had reported several trucks loaded with supplies vital to the enemy’s mission parked and camouflaged near the road. These trucks were defended by a tank and several automatic anti-aircraft weapons. Captain Bruchman left his flight orbiting at a safe altitude while he made several low level reconnaissance passes through heavy automatic weapons fire to locate the camouflaged vehicles. After finding the target Captain Bruchman completely disregarding the fact that his aircraft had been hit several times, led his flight in a series of devastating attacks on the vehicles. Through skillful use of his ordnance he personally destroyed six trucks and their accompanying tank. During this engagement Captain Bruchman displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, courage and aggressiveness. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.