The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Howard Reed Hinrich (MCSN: 0-21211), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a pilot of a plane in Marine Fighter Squadron 323 during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 December 1951. Leading a seven plane flight over enemy territory in search of a downed pilot and an observer, Captain Hinrich reconnoitered the area at extremely low altitude until he had located the airmen and although subjected to persistent hostile automatic weapons fire throughout the action, guided a friendly ground patrol to the position to effect the rescue. With the primary task completed, he led his flight in a series of daring strafing and dive-bombing attacks on a group of enemy bunkers and, despite hostile ground fire, scored four direct hits which completely destroyed six emplacements and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. By his marked courage, skilled airmanship and unswerving devotion to duty, Captain Hinrich upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.