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 First Lieutenant James Lawrence Rhodes, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HML-367), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 September 1969, First Lieutenant Rhodes launched as Copilot aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a reconnaissance patrol which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force deep in enemy-controlled territory. After skillfully navigating his flight to the designated area, he was briefed on the tactical situation and then quickly pinpointed the embattled teams’ position. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, First Lieutenant Rhodes fearlessly delivered a heavy volume of accurate and highly effective machine gun fire during repeated strafing runs against the enemy. As a result of his flight’s devastating attacks, the transport helicopters were able to enter the precarious area and extract the beleaguered patrol. First Lieutenant Rhodes’ courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant James Lawrence Rhodes, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HML-367), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 October 1969, First Lieutenant Rhodes launched as Copilot aboard the second aircraft in a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting a re-supply mission. Upon successful completion of the operation, the flight was diverted to a nearby area occupied by hostile forces, and, upon arriving over the designated location, his pilot unhesitatingly commenced a strafing run over the enemy emplacements. When the aircraft came under a heavy volume of hostile fire, First Lieutenant Rhodes delivered accurate suppressive counterfire upon the enemy soldiers. During a second strafing run over the hostile positions, First Lieutenant Rhodes boldly maintained his dangerously exposed position and steadfastly continued his determined efforts to silence the enemy fire, but, in the final phase of the run, the aircraft sustained crippling damage and he was mortally wounded when the gunship crash landed in a deep gully. First Lieutenant Rhodes’ courage, heroic efforts and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.