The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert J. Ables (MCSN: 0-39391), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea on 15 July 1952. Captain Ables, as leader of a four-plane flight of a Marine Fighter Squadron, was assigned a deep support mission against targets in the Pyongyang industrial complex. Instrument conditions prevailed at the time of take off, while at cruise altitude the underlying clouds completely obscured the objective area. Despite the difficulties in navigation thus imposed, Captain Ables skillfully directed his flight to the target and completed his let-down through the intervening clouds in the precise position to launch his attack. He immediately pressed his attack against the target in the face of heavy anti-aircraft and intense automatic weapons fire. Direct hits from his bombs caused a large secondary explosion and the complete destruction of an important factory. Captain Ables’ outstanding ability and skillful leadership insured the success of a difficult mission. His courageous devotion to duty in the face of the enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.