The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Harlo Edward Sterrett, Jr. (NSN: 0-538313), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighter Squadron SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VF-653), attached to the U.S.S. VALLEY FORGE (CV-45), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 4 May 1952. Despite heavy hostile anti-aircraft fire, Ensign Sterrett carried out repeated attacks against enemy railroad installations in the vicinity of Tanchon and succeeded in destroying two vital railroad bridges and damaging a third. Launching a series of coordinated attacks on nearby hostile anti-aircraft gun positions, he scored a direct bomb hit on one and destroyed another with repeated strafing attacks. By his superb airmanship, cool courage and gallant devotion to duty in the face of enemy anti-aircraft fire, Ensign Sterrett was largely responsible for the success of this mission. His heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.