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 addition to a Previously Awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Tenth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major James A. Yeager (AFSN: 0-16495999), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an O-1 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 28 September 1972. On that date, Major Yeager flew his aircraft under adverse conditions through intensive ground fire in support of free world forces. He continuously flew passes through heavy and accurate anti-aircraft and small arms fire to accurately mark the target, causing heavy damage against the opposing hostile forces’ positions and targets. Through his personal bravery and energetic application of his knowledge and skill he significantly furthered the goal of the United States in Southeast Asia. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Yeager 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 with Combat “V” to Major James A. Yeager (AFSN: 0-16495999), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an RF-101 Photo Reconnaissance Pilot near Hoa Lac Airfield, North Vietnam on 16 September 1967. On that date, Major Yeager led a flight of two unarmed and unescorted RF-101 aircraft on a bomb damage assessment mission to photograph Hoa Lac Airfield. Despite indications of hostile aircraft activity and aircraft structural damage caused by anti-aircraft fire while over the target, Major Yeager obtained one hundred percent photographic coverage of the assigned target and then conducted an intensive search for a downed pilot while exposed to automatic weapons and anti-aircraft artillery. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Yeager 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 lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain James A. Yeager (AFSN: 0-16495999), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flights as a Tactical Reconnaissance Pilot in Southeast Asia on 17 August 1965. On that date, Captain Yeager contributed significantly to the military capability of the United States in Southeast Asia by obtaining vitally needed intelligence information while exposed to intense hostile ground fire. With disregard for his own safety, Captain Yeager persistently and repeatedly braved hostile fire until his assigned mission was accomplished. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Yeager 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain James A. Yeager (AFSN: 0-16495999), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flights as a Tactical Reconnaissance Pilot in Southeast Asia on 21 August 1965. On that date, Captain Yeager contributed significantly to the military capability of the United States in Southeast Asia by obtaining vitally needed intelligence information while exposed to intense hostile ground fire. With disregard for his own safety, Captain Yeager persistently and repeatedly braved hostile fire until his assigned mission was accomplished. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Yeager 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 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James A. Yeager (AFSN: 0-16495999), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-101 Photo Reconnaissance Pilot over Southeast Asia on 28 July 1967. On that date, Major Yeager led a flight of two RF-101 reconnaissance aircraft on a bomb damage assessment mission against numerous heavily defended, high level interest targets located along the Northeast Railroad. He exhibited exceptional combat professionalism by obtaining one hundred percent photographic coverage of all assigned objectives despite heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire from hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Yeager 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 to Captain James A. Yeager (AFSN: 0-16495999), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Jet Photo Reconnaissance Pilot near Phuc Yen, North Vietnam on 2 December 1955. On that date, Captain Yeager led a flight of two unarmed and unescorted RF-101 aircraft on a bomb damage assessment mission against a vital target known to be defended by an impressive arsenal of highly sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons. Mission requirements dictated exposure to the extremely hazardous ground fire in order to collect vital photographic intelligence essential to the military operations in Southeast Asia. Captain Yeager demonstrated outstanding combat professionalism by evading heavy flak and an imminent surface-to-air missile attack and yet resolutely continued toward the target. Captain Yeager obtained excellent photographic coverage of his assigned target and other new intelligence concerning unfriendly forces in the Phuc Yen area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Yeager 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a Previously Awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of an Eighth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James A. Yeager (AFSN: 0-16495999), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an O-2 Observer in Southeast Asia on 30 May 1968. On that date, shortly after an early evening takeoff, he was informed that a fellow airman had been downed by anti-aircraft near a very heavily defended hostile supply route. Without hesitation, Major Yeager proceeded directly to the area where the airman had been downed. Using his expert knowledge of the hostile terrain and special night viewing equipment, Major Yeager was able to directly contribute to the successful rescue of the airman. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Yeager reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.