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 Major James Arlen Clements (AFSN: FV-3021015), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 29 August 1967. On that date, Major Clements was a member of a flight of four F-105’s which successfully struck a high priority military target in North Vietnam. In spite of heavy defenses Major Clements placed his bombs in the target area destroying several rail cars and making multiple rail cuts. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Clements reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1968 – October 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major James Arlen Clements (AFSN: FV-3021015), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period June 1968 to October 1972. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major James Arlen Clements (AFSN: FV-3021015), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in June 1968. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967 – October 1972
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-661 (August 1, 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 Arlen Clements (AFSN: FV-3021015), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1967 to October 1972. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 9, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Major James Arlen Clements (AFSN: FV-3021015), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 9, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major James Arlen Clements (AFSN: FV-3021015), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 8 October 1967. On that date, Major Clements was a member of the lead flight of a strike force executed against a high priority military target. Despite marginal weather conditions and while under withering fire from hostile forces Major Clements pressed his attack to the optimum and delivered his ordnance precisely on target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Clements reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2073 (November 23, 1967)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 Major James Arlen Clements (AFSN: FV-3021015), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 17 September 1967. On that date, Major Clements, as a member of a flight of four, successfully attacked an important military target. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire, Major Clements pressed his attack doing considerable damage to this important target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Clements reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 11 – 13, 1967
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 Lieutenant Colonel James Arlen Clements (AFSN: FV-3021015), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 11 October 1967 to 13 October 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Lieutenant Colonel Clements resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.