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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations effective 7 October 1944. Throughout many long and hazardous combat missions against vital strategic targets deep in enemy occupied territory, though confronted by heavy enemy opposition from highly aggressive enemy fighters and intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire, Colonel Knapp has consistently displayed outstanding courage, aggressiveness and intense devotion to duty throughout all engagements. With his aircraft frequently damaged by heavy enemy fire, he has courageously remained at his station, battling his way through to his targets to aid materially in the utter destruction of vitally important enemy installations and supplies. Heedless of severe and adverse weather conditions encountered over rugged mountainous terrain and surmounting many other major obstacles that faced him during these hazardous missions, he has gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy with complete disregard for his personal safety and against overwhelming odds. The conspicuous and extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successful combat operations and have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
767th Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
461st Bombardment Group (H)Division:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
August 9, 1944
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2905 (August 28, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 767th Bombardment Squadron, 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 9 August 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp led a wing formation on a bombing mission against vital strategic enemy installations in Hungry. Approaching the target, his aircraft was severely damaged by intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire. However, realizing the vital importance of his lead position, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp courageously continued on course. Despite continued heavy enemy fire, displaying outstanding leadership and airmanship, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp brought his entire wing formation through the enemy defenses for a highly successful bombing run. Under his superior direction, the bombs from his wing were concentrated in the immediate target area, inflicting grave damage to vital enemy supplies, equipment and installations. En route to base, he skillfully maneuvered his formation through severe and adverse weather conditions for a safe landing without further damage or loss. By his outstanding courage, professional skill and intense devotion to duty in the face of heavy enemy fire, as evidenced throughout his combat career, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
767th Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
461st Bombardment Group (HODivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
August 2, 1944
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2716 (August 21, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-24 type aircraft of the 767th Bombardment Squadron, 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 2 August 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp led his group on a bombing mission against a vital enemy railroad bridge in France. Despite intense, heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire encountered, displaying exceptional leadership and courage, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp brought his entire formation through the enemy defenses for a highly successful bombing run. Under his capable direction, the bombs from his ship and those of his entire formation were concentrated in the immediate target area, causing grave damage to this important link in the enemy’s lines of communications and transportation. Turning from the objective, despite continued enemy opposition together with severe and adverse weather encountered en route, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp brought his entire formation through for a safe landing at base without loss. By his outstanding professional skill, leadership and intense devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout his brilliant combat career, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
Chanute Technical Training CenterAction Date:
August 25, 1969 – July 31, 1972
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Knapp distinguished himself as Commander, Chanute Technical Training Center, Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, from 25 August 1969 to 31 July 1972. During this period, General Knapp’s superior knowledge, leadership, and managerial ability greatly enhanced the quality of the technical training, increased the efficiency of all support functions, and expanded the community relations of Chanute Air Force Base. His dedication to duty, professional engineering capability, resourcefulness, and concern for the living and working conditions of his people resulted in major improvements at this Center. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Knapp culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
Armistice Commission, KoreaAction Date:
October 15, 1964 – August 10, 1969
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Knapp distinguished himself while serving in consecutive positions as Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Headquarters Strategic Air Command; Chief of Staff, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, and Senior Member, United Nations Command, Military Armistice Commission, from 15 October 1964 to 10 August 1969. In these vital assignments, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by General Knapp contributed immeasurably to the increased capability of the United States Air Force and the defensive strength of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Knapp and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralRegiment:
Civil EngineeringDivision:
Strategic Air CommandAction Date:
July 1, 1957 – July 31, 1963
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Civil Engineering, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, from 1 July 1957 to 31 July 1963. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty consistently demonstrated by General Knapp were instrumental factors in the development and acceptance of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles into the Strategic Air Command’s operational force inventory. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Knapp and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
16th Air ForceAction Date:
August 1, 1963 – October 14, 1964
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, SIXTEENTH Air Force, from 1 August 1963 to 14 October 1964. In this important position, the outstanding leadership, command ability, and devotion to duty consistently demonstrated by General Knapp were instrumental in the maintenance of the Strategic Air Command’s war deterrent capability. He made extraordinary contributions to mutual respect and understanding between the military forces of the United States and those of Spain and Morocco. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Knapp and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
Goose Air Base, LabradorAction Date:
July 23, 1953 – June 30, 1957
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 23 July 1953 through 30 June 1957. As Commander, 4082d Strategic Wing, Goose Air Base, General Knapp contributed immeasurably to world peace and security of the Nation. His outstanding knowledge of air power was an instrumental factor in the development of a strategic base of great importance to the United States. General Knapp, as Commander of Good Air Base during operation FULLHOUSE, was responsible for many factors concerned in the execution of a simulated combat mission. The support of this operation required the control and coordination of numerous units and was in full substantiation of the feasibility of conducting operations of this type at Goose Air Base. The superior skill, initiative and devotion to duty displayed by General Knapp reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.