The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Corporal Albert L. Fierro, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 30 April 1945. Corporal Fierro was a member of the B-29 aircraft that led the entire force of the 39th Bombardment Group in the highly successful strike from a base in the Marianas against Kokobu airfield on the Japanese Island of Kyushu. Despite shattering barrages of heavy caliber anti-aircraft fire at the initial point and during the bombing run, these crewmembers maintained their plane exactly on the briefed heading without evasive tactics. At the target, where flak was most highly concentrated, they released their bombs squarely in the center of the airfield. Bombing on the lead airplane, the remainder of the formation laid such an excellent pattern on the airfield and repair hangers that this important base was rendered completely inoperative. During the withdrawal, the formation they led destroyed six, probably destroyed four additional and damaged nine of an estimated 30 enemy interceptors which pressed repeated vicious attacks until after the Japanese coast was left far behind. The gunners from this lead aircraft alone were credited with three damaged enemy ships. The courage and the fortitude displayed by these veterans of repeated assaults against the Japanese homeland, together with their outstanding professional skill in carrying out an important assignment reflect great credit on themselves and the Army Air Force.