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.

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.

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.