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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant James W. Cockerill, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 601st Photo Squadron, Detachment 12, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, 7th Air Force. Sergeant Cockerill distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia, on 18 November 1972. On that date, Sergeant Cockerill, an Aerial Combat Photographer on an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter, voluntarily participated in the daring aerial rescue of two downed American aircrew members from deep in North Vietnam. He willingly exposed himself to hostile ground fire while not only providing photographic documentation of the mission, but also by providing suppressive fire with his rifle to cover the imperiled survivors. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Cockerill has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.