The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James P. Bell (MCSN: 0-29498), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot attached to a Marine Aircraft Group from 19 September to November 1950. Captain Bell successfully completed his first through thirty-fifth combat mission in support of our ground forces, destroying and inflicting great damage to concentrations of North Korean vehicles, material and personnel. By his airmanship and devotion to duty in the face of enemy anti-aircraft fire, he contributed materially to the success of our troops. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James P. Bell (MCSN: 0-29498), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a fighter plane against the enemy on 6 June 1951. Captain Bell while leading a four plane flight on a close air support mission east of the Kweach’on Reservoir in Korea, worked in conjunction with a Marine Ground Controller whose progress was being held up by several hundred Chinese Communist troops. In spite of intense small arms fire and extremely adverse weather conditions, Captain Bell repeatedly led his flight in attacking entrenched enemy troops at minimum altitude with napalm, rockets and strafing. These successful attacks enabled the United Nations forces to occupy this important objective with negligible opposition. Three hundred dead enemy were confirmed by the occupying forces. With unerring judgment and outstanding airmanship, Captain Bell dealt a damaging blow to the enemy. In so doing his alertness and efficient actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.