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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third 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 near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 27 December 1972. On that date, Sergeant Cockerill, an Aerial Combat Photographer on an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter, voluntarily flew into a highly hostile area to attempt the rescue of a downed American airman. With his helicopter receiving intense ground fire, Sergeant Cockerill stood in the unprotected crew door to aid in searching for the survivor; and then, when the survivor was located, he openly stood beside the hoist operator and fired a machine gun to provide protection as the rescue device was lowered. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Cockerill has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.