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 Edward Hiteshew (AFSN: 13435515), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 14 December 1966. On that date, Major Hiteshew was a member of a flight of fighter-bombers directed to strike a vital rail classification yard. Attacked by hostile aircraft while en route to the target, he delivered his ordnance against a highly significant hostile line of communication and then fearlessly engaged the more maneuverable attacking aircraft. His flight then established a protective MiG CAP for the rest of the strike force in the presence of a highly active surface-to-air missile environment and then later participated in the rescue of a downed aircrew under extremely hazardous conditions. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Hiteshew reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 11, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Colonel James Edward Hiteshew (AFSN: 13435515), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 11, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
February 3, 1967
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 Edward Hiteshew (AFSN: 13435515), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 3 February 1967. On that date, Major Hiteshew was the leader of a flight of fighter-bombers executed to strike a heavily defended rail yard. Forced to fly nearly the entire route in blinding weather, Major Hiteshew disregarded the imminent threat of surprise interception by hostile aircraft and missiles to successfully strike the assigned target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Hiteshew reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1967 – April 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel James Edward Hiteshew (AFSN: 13435515), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from March 1967 through April 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. Colonel Hiteshew 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.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1967 – October 1972
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 Colonel James Edward Hiteshew (AFSN: 13435515), 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 March 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
March 11, 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 Major James Edward Hiteshew (AFSN: 13435515), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action in Southeast Asia, on 11 Mach 1967. On that date, Major Hiteshew was the leader of a flight of fighter-bombers of a strike executed against a heavily defended steel mill complex. Major Hiteshew led his flight directly to the target despite marginal weather conditions and the ever present danger of surprise interception by hostile aircraft and Surface-to-Air Missiles. Pulling up to attack the target, Major Hiteshew completely disregarded very dangerous damage to his aircraft caused by hostile ground fire and successfully delivered his ordnance on target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Hiteshew has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
December 4, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. 288 (February 22, 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 Edward Hiteshew (AFSN: 13435515), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 4 December 1966. On that date, Major Hiteshew was a member of a flight of fighter-bombers executed against a petroleum products storage area the destruction of which would seriously limit the fuel supply for and severely hamper the operations of a large force of hostile interceptors. Despite the threat of surface-to-air missiles and hostile interceptors, intense and accurate antiaircraft fire and marginal weather en route and in the target area, Major Hiteshew successfully delivered his ordnance against this assigned area of the target with devastating effectiveness. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Hiteshew reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.