AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Korea
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John A. LaMontia for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea. Lieutenant LaMontia distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during an aerial flight over Kumchon, Korea on 25 September 1950. While engaged in an aerial flight observing enemy positions and directing the movement of ground troops, his plane was damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and disabled to the extent that all controls, other than rudders, failed to function. Ordering his observer to bail out, Lieutenant LaMontia was forced to keep his plane in the air when he noticed that his companion had become entangled in the many radio wires. Only after the observer had managed to free himself and clear the plane did Lieutenant LaMontia leave the controls and abandon his aircraft. His courage and coolness when his own life was endangered and unhesitant consideration for the safety of his endangered comrade reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the United States Infantry.