The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Bruce A. Bell, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as plot of a fighter plane attached to Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR (VF-154), on board the U.S.S. PRINCETON (CV-37), on 19 July 1953. Lieutenant Commander Bell, flying as a strike leader of an eight plane armed reconnaissance flight over communist held North Korea in the Pyong Yang area, led his flight through intense anti-aircraft fire and destroyed nineteen trucks and damaged twenty-three others. Arriving in the area, Lieutenant Commander Bell’s flight was immediately taken under fire by intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. He began a high speed approach to the area where the fire was most intense. Upon close examination he discovered a truck convoy loading large quantities of supplies. Directing an immediate attack, Lieutenant Commander Bell scored a hit causing a secondary explosion. Despite continuous anti-aircraft fire from the area surrounding the target, repeated attacks were made obtaining numerous secondary explosions in which large quantities of ammunition and inflammables were exploded and set fire, nineteen trucks were completely destroyed and twenty-three others were so heavily damaged as to preclude their future use. His exemplary leadership, keen perception and tactical skill enabled his flight to inflict heavy damage to the enemy’s supply and transportation system. His courageous conduct and professional skill contributed directly to the success of the PRINCETON in its assigned missions and to the termination of hostilities with Communist Forces in North Korea. His actions and steadfast devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.