The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Donald J. Brodhag (NSN: 0-403329), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot in Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE (VF-781), operating from the U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), in attacks against hostile North Korean and Chinese communist forces. While on an armed reconnaissance mission on 9 August 1951, against vital enemy rail facilities in the Hamhung-Hungnam area of enemy-held North Korea, he led his flight of aircraft against two enemy locomotives and fifteen rail cars in the marshalling yard at Hungnam which were unloading vitally needed enemy ammunition and fuel supplies. Despite determined medium and light anti-aircraft fire from the target area which caused damage to his aircraft, he led his flight in persistent low-level rocket and strafing attacks against the enemy supply train. He personally scored five direct rocket hits on the locomotives, one of which was destroyed and the other severely damaged. In continued attacks, the flight set afire several unloaded piles of fuel and several of the partially unloaded rail cars. The effective destruction of this supply group interrupted the delivery of vitally needed supplies and equipment to front-line enemy troops. His courage and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.