(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 15 February 1944. Serving as patrol over our landings on Green Island when a large formation of hostile bombers was discovered approaching our shipping off shore, First Lieutenant DeLong unhesitatingly dove through friendly anti-aircraft fire to intercept the attacking planes. Despite overwhelming odds, he fought his plane with outstanding technical skill and, bringing his gun to bear with deadly accuracy, succeeded in shooting three Japanese bombers down in flames and dispersing the remainder before damage could be inflicted upon our units. First Lieutenant DeLong’s expert airmanship and resolute devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands Areas, from 20 October 1943 to 16 February 1944. Undaunted by the grave hazards of fierce aerial opposition and intense anti-aircraft fire, First Lieutenant DeLong boldly penetrated the heavily-defended Rabaul and Bougainville Areas to execute numerous bomber escort missions and, fighting furiously and without regard for his own personal safety in the primary mission of protecting our bombing planes against outnumbering forces of hostile fighters, he destroyed eight enemy aircraft, probably destroyed one and damaged two others. On three occasions he participated in volunteer strafing missions against strongly-defended Japanese oppositions and succeeded in annihilating personnel and destroying equipment. By his brilliant airmanship, courageous tactics and persevering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant DeLong contributed to the infliction of extensive damage on hostile airfields, shore installations and shipping, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 25 November 1943 to 13 January 1944. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant DeLong contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of damage on the enemy. His courageous devotion to duty in the face of aerial opposition and hostile anti-aircraft fire was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Phillip Cunliffe DeLong (MCSN: 0-16434), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 27 March 1944 to 1 April 1944. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant DeLong contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of damage on the enemy. His courageous devotion to duty in the face of aerial opposition and hostile anti-aircraft fire was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.