The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Charles Eads Coons (AFSN: 17761A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of the 9th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group in action on 12 May 1951 in Korea. First Lieutenant Coons displayed outstanding airmanship and navigational skill when he led his flight through below marginal weather over hazardous mountain terrain direct to the target area in the vicinity of Sinuiju, Korea. Armed with rockets and machine guns, Lieutenant Coons led his flight in an attack against a supply train located in the marshalling yards, pressing successive attacks despite intense anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant Coons personally destroyed eight (8) supply laden box cars and damaged six (6) more. He also strafed a fuel truck that exploded immediately. In the same vicinity, there were troops in fox holes and of the thirty (30) killed, Lieutenant Coons accounted for fifteen (15). Having assembled his flight, he then proceeded to lead it through intermittent rain showers to his home base. As a result of this highly successful mission, vital supplies and fuel failed to reach enemy front lines. By his personal courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Coons has brought credit to himself, The Far East Air Forces, and The United States Air Force.