The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Harry G. Maier, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighter Squadron Eight Seven Four based on board the U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 27 September 1951. Responding to an emergency call concerning a downed pilot while he was leading his section on a strike against enemy transportation facilities, Lieutenant Maier promptly initiated a series of determined strafing attacks, destroying numerous hostile troops who were attempting to capture the downed airman. Flying at dangerously low altitude, he succeeded in drawing the enemy fire away from a rescue helicopter and, with the rescue successfully completed, destroyed the downed pilot’s aircraft to prevent it from falling into the hands of the hostile forces. Continuing on his primary mission, he carried out a series of devastating bombing and strafing attacks on the objectives in the face of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire and greatly aided his flight in destroying or damaging six bridges and large quantities of supplies. By his marked courage, skilled airmanship and unswerving devotion to duty, Lieutenant Maier upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.