The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Richard Bell (MCSN: 0-45307), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy during the Chinese Communist offensive in Korea on 25 May 1941. First Lieutenant Bell, as the leader of a flight of two F-9F’s, responded to an urgent call for close air support from friendly ground forces in the vicinity of the town of Hupyong-ni. The advance of a United Nations force had been stalled by the concentrated fire of an enemy battery upon the main corridor of attack. First Lieutenant Bell, without regard for his own personal safety, attacked the heavily defended enemy positions without hesitation. Despite intense enemy automatic weapons fire, he skillfully executed a series of bombing and strafing runs which completely neutralized the anti-aircraft fire and silenced the enemy artillery which had been harassing the friendly ground units. First Lieutenant Bell, by his skillful airmanship, contributed materially to the successful advance of the friendly ground forces. His courageous leadership, efficient action, and fearless devotion to duty were exemplary and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.