The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Paul B. Graves, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Fighter/attack Squadron 122, Marine Aircraft Group 11, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 8 November 1967, Captain Graves launched as Wingman in a flight of two F-4 Phantom aircraft assigned to provide close air support for Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, which was pinned down by enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire from a fortified village near DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he was briefed on the friendly and enemy situation by the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne). Although the enemy village was located only 100 meters from the Marine positions and under fire from friendly artillery, Captain Graves unhesitatingly commenced his attack and immediately came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire, which struck and damaged his aircraft. With complete disregard for his own safety, he resolutely continued his attack and delivered his ordnance with pinpoint accuracy, despite the hostile fire. Under rapidly diminishing light conditions, Captain Graves made numerous additional bombing and strafing runs against the hostile positions, despite the battle damage to his aircraft, and delivered all his ordnance with devastating effectiveness. In large measure due to his superb airmanship and resolute determination, he won the respect and admiration of all who served with him and was instrumental in the destruction of seven enemy fortified structures. Captain Grave’s courage, exceptional aeronautical ability and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.