The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John Hoag Boyum (NSN: 0-85266), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces. As a pilot of a carrier-based night fighter airplane in Fighting Squadron FOURTEEN (VF-14), embarked in U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), on night patrol, in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944, he intercepted one of a number of enemy aircraft attacking our forces and destroyed it under adverse circumstances. Patrolling beyond our screen of anti-aircraft fire, and with poor communications with his base, he completed an interception against an enemy airplane taking violent evasive action and destroyed it. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.