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

Citation:  1.) The Distinguished Flying Cross for distinguishing himself by meritorious achievement in aerial flight as a pilot in Fighter Squadron SEVEN EIGHT ONE, operating from the U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD, in attacks on hostile North Korean and Chinese Communist forces. Lieutenant Pepper participated in twenty armed reconnaissance missions on vehicular and rail routes most frequently used by the enemy. During the period from 31 May 1951 to 18 July 1951, in the face of great enemy anti-aircraft fire he aided his division in the destruction of enemy rail and supply facilities, strafed enemy gun positions, and destroyed numerous enemy vehicular and rail cars in the CHANGJIN, ORORI, and HUNGNAN areas. Lieutenant Pepper performed his assigned missions with skill and courage. His devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest tranditions of the United States Naval Service. 1.) Lieutenant Harold V. Pepper, United States Naval Reserve, is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a pilot of Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE, operating from U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD in attacks against hostile North Korean and Chinese Communist forces. While on an armed reconnaissance mission on 2 November 1951, Lieutenant Pepper was flying as flight leader of a flight of F9F jet aircraft when hediscovered and led his flight against an enemy troop and supply convoy in the enemy held TANCHON area. Despite intense medium and light anti-aircraft fire from portable weapons within the convoy and the extremely hazardous mountain terrain which made attacks most difficult, Lieutenant Pepper persistently attacked this convoy with low-level rocket and strafing runs causing an estimated one hundred fifty casualties among the troops which ran from their troop carriers and exploding and burning eleven of the supply vehicles and gfive of the trrop-carrying trucks. These fires burned so fiercely that they spread through three nearby enemy warehouses where intermittent explosions caused their destruction or heavy damage. The effective destruction of this supply group interrupted a delivery of vitally needed supplies and equipment to the frontline enemy troops. His courage and gallent devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.