The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Richard Alan Bateman (NSN: 0-538138), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a fighter aircraft attached to and serving with Fighter Squadron FIFTY-THREE (VF-53), based aboard the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), during an engagement with North Korean and Chinese Communist Forces on 26 October 1951. As Wingman to the Section Leader of a fighter division engaged in flak suppression for a strike against a vital enemy supply and communication line in a well defended area near Wonsan, North Korea, Ensign Bateman made repeated and courageous attacks against the enemy gun positions in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. In spite of the intense anti-aircraft fire he continued his attacks against the gun positions with determination and skill and succeeded in knocking out two of the gun positions with direct bomb hits and silenced two others by strafing. He continued his attacks by strafing gun positions and making bombing runs on the main supply line, scoring one direct hit on the rail line. His daring and determined attacks against the enemy gun positions made it possible for the bombing element to carry out their mission without loss or damage of a single aircraft. His courageous and unswerving devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.