The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander James Andrew Burnett (NSN: 0-542866), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65), on 21 May 1967. As strike leader, Commander Burnett expertly planned, briefed and led a devastating coordinated strike by a large group of aircraft on the airfield at Kep, North Vietnam. His diligent and detailed plan of attack was brilliantly executed by the strike group under his aggressive and gallant leadership. After expeditiously rendezvousing his strike group, Commander Burnett, flying an A4C aircraft, skillfully adhered to his plan of attack enabling his strike group elements to maintain optimum formation integrity en route to the target through high MiG threat areas. He accurately navigated the flight deep into the heavily defended heartland of the enemy, and when the flight was assailed by extremely heavy and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire three minutes short of the target, he urged his group to press on. Maneuvering shrewdly he avoided the heaviest concentrations of ground fire and evaded several enemy missiles to lead his group into the target intact. Despite the intense and heavy barrages of enemy fire which covered the target at all altitudes, he led his Division into a perfectly timed bombing attack, accurately dropping his bombs on two parked MiG-17 aircraft, destroying gone and heavily damaging the other. He then led his group clear of the target through continuing heavy enemy fire. The well coordinated attack which was completed without the loss of a single aircraft, destroyed or damaged fifteen enemy aircraft in addition to other heavy damage to the key enemy installation. Commander Burnett’s brilliant execution of a difficult and hazardous mission, gallant flight leadership, precise bombing attack and intrepid courage in the face of extremely heavy enemy opposition upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Secretary of the Navy: Serial 327 (April 27, 1981)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain James Andrew Burnett (NSN: 0-542866), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Commanding Officer, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Naval Air Station Memphis, Millington, Tennessee, from June 1979 to May 1981. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Captain Burnett was responsible and directly supervised the implementation of new and innovative programs throughout the command to ensure that every student received quality instruction in minimum time without reducing course content which facilitated maximum utilization of critical manpower resources of the Navy. As a direct result of his personal involvement and total commitment to quality training, Captain Burnett maintained certification criteria resulting in accreditation of the command by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He aggressively implemented the Integrated Training Brigade organization to achieve the enhanced military training and readiness of trainees for fleet assignments. Further, Captain Burnett initiated the first commercial training and equipment maintenance contracts in the command’s history, ensuring that planned training goals and training quality standards will be met. By his noteworthy achievements, perceptive judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Burnett reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 113 (VA-113)Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)Action Date:
May 26, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander James Andrew Burnett (NSN: 0-542866), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65), on 26 May 1967. As strike leader, Commander Burnett expertly planned, briefed and led a highly successful strike by 28 aircraft on the Haiphong Thermal Power Plant (West) in North Vietnam. After planning every detail of the difficult mission, he inspired in his strike group a positive, aggressive attitude that was a major factor in the success of this exceptional strike. Commander Burnett led his strike group into the heavily defended area, urging them on, as they penetrated the formidable barrage of flak and missiles from a massed array of anti-aircraft guns and missile sites deployed around this vital enemy target. His superb skill as a strike leader enabled him to maneuver radically without losing formation integrity, to attain perfect position for his strike group to initiate their individual attacks. Despite the intense enemy fire, Commander Burnett personally executed an accurate dive bombing attack, releasing his bombs directly on target. Then turning back through the barrage of enemy fire, he observed his bomb impacts in order to advise the following bomber elements of which corrections. After ascertaining that the mission had succeeded, he led his strike group through the continuing enemy fire to the safety of the sea. The target was destroyed and no aircraft were lost. Commander Burnett’s gallant and extraordinary flight leadership, aggressive and accurate attack and intrepid courage under enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Secretary of the Navy: Serial 315 (April 28, 1977)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain James Andrew Burnett (NSN: 0-542866), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Commander, Navy Recruiting Area SEVEN, Dallas, Texas, from March 1975 to April 1977. Captain Burnett’s innovative leadership, precise planning, and decisive execution resulted in Navy Recruiting Area SEVEN being a consistent national leader in the recruitment of qualified young men and women for naval service. He accomplished his mission through his unique ability to adapt quickly to changing recruiting policies and programs and his continuous encouragement of his team to be the best in the nation. Captain Burnett’s diligence, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm were inspiring and constitute the basis of the success his command has enjoyed. By his superb performance, sound judgment, and total devotion to duty, Captain Burnett reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.