Navy Federal Credit Union

James Jamerson graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1963. During the Vietnam War he received the Silver Star and three Distinguished Flying Crosses for his heroism as a close air support and search and rescue pilot. He retired in 1998 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to General James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Jamerson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    62d Air Commando Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 to Captain James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a close air support and search and rescue pilot of the 62d Air Commando Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, from 1969 to 1970. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    December 1990 – October 1991

    The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Major General James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) PROVEN FORCE, and as Deputy Commanding General, Operation PROVIDE COMFORT, United States European Command, West Germany, from December 1990 to October 1991. As Commander, General Jamerson demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision while forming, deploying, and directing employment of the 5,000 member JTF which conducted air, psychological, and special operations against Iraqi’s northern flank. Under his skillful guidance and supervision, this fully integrated force flew 4,595 sorties against heavily defended targets in Northern Iraq, inflicting significant damage without the combat loss of a single aircraft. He developed the plan of operation for the first airdrops of food and blankets within 36 hours of notification to deploy. He conducted on-site assessments and incorporated Special Operations and Air Forces into a comprehensive package of logistical and security measures. He completely incorporated the efforts of coalition nations who sent medical and security personnel and achieved unprecedented success in maintaining solidarity of purpose amidst wavering political odds. The distinctive accomplishments of General Jamerson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    62d Air Commando Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a close air support and search and rescue pilot of the 62d Air Commando Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, from 1969 to 1970. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The 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 General James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Jamerson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    62d Air Commando Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    January 18, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a close air support and search and rescue pilot of the 62d Air Commando Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, on 18 January 1969. On that date, Captain Jamerson led a flight of A-1 Skyraiders in the rescue effort for the pilots of an O-2 FAC aircraft downed by hostile anti-aircraft fire near a major hostile supply route. In the face of intense automatic weapons fire which struck his aircraft repeatedly, Captain Jamerson conducted a prolonged search at extremely low altitudes until he located the downed airmen. Constantly under heavy anti-aircraft fire, he then made devastating attacks on hostile troops searching within yards of the two survivors. Even when his fuel reached a critically low state, he refused to leave the men unprotected and stayed to mark their position for the follow on rescue force. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Jamerson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 17, 1995 – August 31, 1998

    The 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 General James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Jamerson distinguished himself as Deputy Commander in Chief, Headquarters, United States European Command, Stuttgart-Vaihigen, Germany, from 17 July 1995 to 31 August 1998. During this period, General Jamerson masterfully guided the United States European Command through the unprecedented peacetime engagement activities that placed the command at the forefront of United States security initiatives. His Theater Strategy of Readiness and Engagement strengthened and accelerated a fundamental transformation of the European security environment, achieved unprecedented results in opening new avenues of national and regional cooperation and enhanced stability within the United States European Command area of responsibility. General Jamerson’s leadership and guidance have ensured the United States European Command stands ready to support the national security objectives of the United States as an integral part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as a crisis response force in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and as a force that can fight and win. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Jamerson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 1995 – July 1998

    The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command (USEUCOM) from July 1995 to July 1998. General Jamerson masterfully guided the USEUCOM staff through the dramatic changes of an evolving post-Cold War world. His immense operational experience and insights enabled him to support the Commander in Chief by guiding and overseeing to the formation of an adaptable force structure designed to support the newly evolving peacetime engagement activities that placed the command at the forefront of United States security initiatives. USEUCOM’s Theater Strategy of Readiness and Engagement strengthened and accelerated a fundamental transformation in the European security environment, achieved unprecedented results in opening new avenues of national and regional cooperation and enhanced stability within the USEUCOM’s area of responsibility. His leadership, guidance and interaction with United States agencies and European allies were pivotal in the creation and implementation of the highly successful African Crisis Response Initiative. Through his untiring efforts, USEUCOM supported the national security objectives of the United States, as an integral part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as a crisis response force in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and as a unified command that can fight and win. The distinctive accomplishments of General Jamerson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1993 – 1995

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The 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 General James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of the TWELFTH Air Force and United States Southern Command Air Forces at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, and subsequently as Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe, and Allied Forces Central Europe, Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, from 1993 to 1995. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Jamerson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    62d Air Commando Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain James Louwein Jamerson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a close air support and search and rescue pilot of the 62d Air Commando Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, from 1969 to 1970. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.