The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Air Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Allen DeMasters (NSN: 0-522066), United States Navy, for meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighter Squadron SIXTY-FOUR (VF-64), attached to the U.S.S. BOXER (CV-21), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 17 June 1952. Participating in a determined aerial assault against the enemy at Hamhung, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, DeMasters initiated a daring attack against a hostile gun emplacement and, although subjected to intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, bravely continued his dive on the battery in a bold attempt to silence the enemy fire before the main strike group attacked the target area. He was last seen to bail out when his plane was hit by hostile anti-aircraft fire during the dive on the enemy gun emplacement. By his marked courage, skilled airmanship and unswerving devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, DeMasters contributed materially to the success achieved by his squadron and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.