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 Thomas Callaghan (AFSN: FR-56232), United States Air Force, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller, 504th Tactical Air Support Group, in action in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 8 February 1967. On that date, Captain Callaghan was flying in support of friendly ground forces engaged in defense of their beleaguered positions. Due to the close proximity of the friendlies to the attacking hostile forces, extreme accuracy was necessary in marking the hostile positions and directing ordnance delivery onto them. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Callaghan made low, repeated passes over suspected heavy mortar and automatic weapons positions to draw their hostile fire and expose themselves to attacks from the fighter aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Callaghan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
July 7, 1981 – June 24, 1983
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 Brigadier General James Thomas Callaghan (AFSN: FR-56232), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Director for Regional Plans and Policy and Director of the Ground Launched Cruise Missile Planning Group, Directorate of Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C., from 7 July 1981 to 24 June 1983. During this period, General Callaghan’s outstanding achievements, dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in the advancement of the United States’ national interests in military relationships with nations around the globe and the development of plans and procedures to insure the on-time deployment of the Ground Launched Cruise Missile. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Callaghan and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant General James Thomas Callaghan, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Callaghan reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
June 29, 1983 – July 23, 1986
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 Major General James Thomas Callaghan (AFSN: FR-56232), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Callaghan distinguished himself as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology, and as Commandant, Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, from 29 June 1983 to 23 July 1986. During this period, General Callaghan’s dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in the Air Force Institute of Technology and the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management becoming outstanding military organizations as well as world-class institutes of higher learning. Among many outstanding achievements, he directed a major project resulting in approval for fiscal year 1986 construction of a $12.8 million science and research building, which will provide the Institute with a consolidated library, an auditorium and computer equipped classrooms. He obtained Congressional approval for Schedule A, a special civilian pay schedule for faculty members. This is the first new civilian pay schedule since the inception of the Air Force in 1947. His visionary leadership also resulted in the Air Force Institute of Technology’s computer capability growing to an equivalent level with the world’s leading educational institutions and earning the Institute recognition as one of the top engineering schools in the country. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Callaghan reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General James Thomas Callaghan (AFSN: FR-56232), 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. The distinctive accomplishments of General Callaghan reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
July 16, 1971 – July 31, 1974
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 Lieutenant Colonel James Thomas Callaghan (AFSN: FR-56232), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as an Air Operations Staff Officer, Tactical Support Division, Directorate of General Purpose and Airlift Studies, and as an Air Operations Officer, and Chief, Office of External Affairs, Assistant Chief of Staff, Studies and Analysis, Headquarters United States Air Force, from 16 July 1971 to 31 July 1974. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Callaghan contributed importantly to the resolution of critical issues addressed within the Air Force, other elements of the Department of Defense, and the Congress; and were instrumental in the authorization and appropriation of funds for Air Force major weapon system programs. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Callaghan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
173d Airborne Brigade (Attached)Action Date:
December 16, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain James Thomas Callaghan (AFSN: FR-56232), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Forward Air Controller attached to the 173d Airborne Brigade (U.S. Army), directing fighter aircraft strikes near Long Thanh, in Bien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 16 December 1966. On that date, Captain Callaghan was flying his O-1 “Bird Dog” aircraft in support of friendly ground forces under attack by a numerically superior hostile force. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Callaghan made low, repeated passes over known automatic weapons positions to draw their hostile fire away from the regrouping friendlies. Flying through intense hostile fire until he was dangerously low on fuel, Captain Callaghan successfully disrupted the attack and enabled the friendly forces to regroup for evacuation. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Callaghan has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant General James Thomas Callaghan, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Callaghan reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.