The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Hobart G. Johnson, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 311, Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 25 October 1968, Captain Johnson launched as Wingman in a flight of two A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned a mission in support of a United States Army unit heavily engaged with a North Vietnamese Army force in the Demilitarized Zone. Arriving over the designated area, the flight was informed by the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) that the proximity of friendly and enemy positions would require precise ordnance delivery. Undaunted by intense ground fire received during an identification pass over the target, Captain Johnson unhesitatingly commenced a determined attack on the enemy positions, releasing his ordnance with pinpoint accuracy on the hostile target. Despite the heavy volume of automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, he fearlessly executed a second attack run, again dropping his bombs precisely on the enemy. His superior airmanship and heroic actions were instrumental in accounting for fourteen hostile soldiers killed and caused the remainder of the enemy to flee in panic and confusion. Captain Johnson’s courage, superb aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk inspired all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.