The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Billie J. Buchanan (NSN: 0-430151), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a night attack plane of Composite Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VC-35, on board the U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34) on 21 March 1953. While on a night heckler mission in the Kyongson-Kilchu area of North Korea, Lieutenant Buchanan during hours of total darkness, discovered a locomotive and fifteen boxcars in a deep ravine. Despite enemy fire and difficult bombing conditions he made repeated attacks scoring damaging hits on this locomotive which caused it to lose steam and stop. After he had stopped the train he illuminated the scene by flares and with direct bomb hits cut the rail directly in front of and behind the locomotive, thereby isolating it and making it vulnerable to subsequent attacks. Continuing his low level attacks he destroyed three boxcars and heavily damaged five others. He continued to press his attacks until all his ordnance was expended. The superb skill, daring and outstanding airmanship exhibited by Lieutenant Buchanan, with disregard for his own personal safety materially aided the night interdiction efforts of the United States Forces against the enemy. His determined vigilance and steadfast devotion to duty reflect the greatest credit upon himself and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.