The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant James L. Morgan, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer in a jet aircraft, attached to and serving with Reconnaissance Attack Squadron THIRTEEN, embarked in USS KITTY HAWK (CVA 63) during operations conducted against enemy forces in North Vietnam on 2 January 1967. Flying in an unarmed reconnaissance aircraft in actual combat, Lieutenant MORGAN obtained photographic coverage of the Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh railroad yards and the Thai Binh transshipment area in one of the most heavily defended regions of North Vietnam. In spite of intense antiÑ aircraft fire, adverse weather conditions and indications of surface- to-air missile threat, Lieutenant MORGAN skillfully operated the aircraft navigation system and guided his pilot to the objective areas. He operated the reconnaissance system in a flawless manner through an extremely hostile environment in order to achieve the desired photographic intelligence for the planners and executors of future strikes against North Vietnam. Lieutenant Morgan’s heroic conduct in the face of enemy fire and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.