The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel James Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 8 February 1971 to 15 March 1971. 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 6, 1966 – February 12, 1973
Colonel James Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 6, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1966
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 Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during May 1966, 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 Lamar 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel James Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during August 1967. 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantAction Date:
September 19 – October 18, 1950
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 First Lieutenant James Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, for meritorious achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States as a member of the 40th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, on duty with the United States Military Advisory Group to the Republic of Korea from 19 September to 18 October 1950. Lieutenant Lamar, assigned as Tactical Air Control Officer to the Republic of Korea I Corps, displayed keen perception of air-ground operations and exceptional diligence in obtaining and directing air support for the corps troops. Without regard for his personal safety, he repeatedly operated under enemy fire, with the most advanced front line troops to coordinate and direct air support for the supporting units. He devised ingenious methods whereby the language barriers were reduced and the air strikes could be readjusted and directed by Republic of Korea commanders. His tireless efforts and sound application for fighter support techniques contributed materially to the successful advance of the corps. The intelligence, Conscientious devotion to duty and astuteness displayed by Lieutenant Lamar reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
40th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
35th Fighter-Interceptor GroupAction Date:
Korean War
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 163(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant James Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-51 Mustang and F-80 Shooting Star fighter airplane with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter Interceptor Group, in action in Korea in 1950/19512. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1967 – February 1973
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 Colonel James Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), 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 from June 1967 to February 1973. 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
421st Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 6, 1966
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders G-237 (July 30, 1966)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 Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105D Thunderchief of the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 6 May 1966. On that date, Colonel Lamar led a flight of four F-105D’s tasked with the mission to destroy a target of vital importance to the aggressor forces. Flying through adverse weather, the flight encountered intense and accurate hostile fire as they passed over the last mountain ridge into the target area. Colonel Lamar initiated a pop-up maneuver through the intense anti-aircraft fire and courageously began his bomb attack. Although his aircraft received a direct hit which later forced him to eject over hostile territory, Colonel Lamar gallantly continued his attack, delivering his high explosive ordnance directly on target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Lamar has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel James Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Mission Commander of a strike force of F-105D Thunderchiefs approximately twenty-five miles northeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam on 5 May 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Lamar was designated as commander of four flights of F-105’s tasked with the mission of destroying a strategic railroad and highway bridge on the rail line linking Hanoi with Communist China. This target was defended by the heaviest flak concentration ever encountered by F-105’s over North Vietnam. Despite the intense flak, Lieutenant Colonel Lamar’s slight was successful in destroying this vital transportation link. His heroic perseverance and superb airmanship helped considerably in slowing the flow of communist supplies. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Lamar reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
40th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
35th Fighter-Interceptor GroupAction Date:
Korean War
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 202(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 First Lieutenant James Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-51 Mustang and F-80 Shooting Star fighter airplane with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter Interceptor Group, in action in Korea in 1950/19512. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest 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:
May 1966 – May 1969
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 Lasley Lamar (AFSN: FV-1909733/AF-18050585), 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 May 1966 to May 1969. 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.