The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James Edwin Light, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 Pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 14 December 1967. On that date, Major Light was assigned the mission of interdicting an extremely vital highway and railroad bridge. In spite of unusually heavy anti-aircraft fire, surface-to-air missile launches, and intense MiG activity, Major Light delivered his ordnance directly on target denying the use of this important transportation segment to the North Vietnamese. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Light reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major James Edwin Light, Jr., United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 19 November 1967. On that date, Major Light was Deputy Commander of sixteen F-105’s in a strike vital mission. The mission was a hazardous one with many surface-to-air missiles site and hostile gun positions. Never the less Major Light directed and delivered his ordnance exactly on target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Light has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James Edwin Light, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 Pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Phuc Yen, North Vietnam, on 4 January 1968. On that date, Major Light flying as Kingfish Lead, though hampered by restrictive visibility and heavy barrages of antiaircraft fire, continued his attack and delivered his ordnance with outstanding accuracy. Through his complete disregard of personal safety and as a result of his pinpoint bombing, a vital link in the heavy industry transportation system was rendered completely unserviceable. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Light reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel James Edwin Light, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on 10 January 1971. On that date Colonel Light, while leading a flight of two F-4D tactical fighters was directed by a Nail Forward Air Controller (FAC) to destroy an important supply depot in Southeast Asia. Despite intense antiaircraft artillery fire and extremely limited visibility due to smoke and haze, Colonel Light delivered his ordnance with pinpoint accuracy destroying several trucks and causing several large secondary explosions. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Light reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.