The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Carol Bernard (MCSN: 0-12727), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Fighter Squadron in Korea. On 4 April 1953, Major Bernard led a division of Marine jet fighter-bombers on a high priority close air support mission against heavily defended enemy automatic weapons and mortar batteries that had been inflicting serious damage on front line units of the FIRST Marine Division. As the flights approached the target area a low cloud ceiling so reduced forward visibility that Major Bernard instructed his Division to orbit out of range of hostile anti-aircraft fire while he definitely marked the obscure objective. Despite an intense barrage of hostile fire, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft through the precipitous terrain at minimum altitude and located the enemy batteries in extreme proximity to friendly troops. Immediately conducting a daring low-level bombing assault, he destroyed two automatic weapons positions that clearly marked the objective for the remainder of the flight. He then rejoined the orbiting aircraft and led the division in repeated bombing and strafing attacks against the now clearly defined target, again personally scoring direct bomb hits. Major Bernard’s own bombing accuracy and exemplary leadership were directly responsible for the success of a mission that inflicted heavy enemy casualties and substantially reduced pressure on advancing elements of the United Nations ground forces. His courageous conduct, outstanding initiative, and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.