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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 Major (Air Corps) James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight . On 3 August 1942 Major Edmundson, as the flight leader of a flight of three heavy bombardment airplanes, was ordered to bomb enemy installations in the Solomon Islands area. Nearing the target area, his flight was closely and aggressively attacked by seven float type zeros. The three zeros were destroyed on the initial attack of the Japanese and one of Major Edmundson’s planes was lost, along with the crew, when an enemy aircraft, out of control and on fire, crashed into it. Having disorganized the Japanese attack, Major Edmundson took advantage of their confusion and gave chase to one of the fighters, shooting it down. He then continued on his bombing run, despite attacks by the three remaining fighters, and succeeded in bombing his objective.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Edmundson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    February 24, 1970 – March 31, 1973
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-56 (January 23, 1973)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Edmundson distinguished himself as Deputy Commander in chief, United States Strike Command; Deputy Commander in Chief, Middle East, Southern Asia and Africa South of the Sahara, from 24 February 1970 to 31 December 1971, and as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command, from 1 January 1972 to 31 March 1973. In these important positions, General Edmundson made outstanding contributions to the development and testing of joint operating procedures and doctrine for combining Armed Forces tactical elements into integrated teams of land, sea, and air forces for worldwide reaction and commitment in support of national objectives. His profound understanding and exceptional knowledge were manifested in his imaginative guidance in preparing new concepts for the deployment and employment of United States Armed Forces. His extraordinary talents and tactful leadership ability inspired exceptional achievements from all with whom he came in contact, inculcating in them a capability to deal promptly with any and all complex problems. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Edmundson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1962 – 1964
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. GB-271 (1964)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Major General James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of the SEVENTEENTH Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, from 1962 to 1964. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Edmundson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Edmundson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Heavy Bomber and Commanding Officer of a Bombing Squadron and subsequently a Bombing Group in the Pacific Theater of Operations and China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    August 19, 1942

    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 (Air Corps) James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Army Air Forces, for heroic and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Tulagi, Solomon Islands on August 19, 1942. Flying at perilously low altitude through a bursting hail of anti-aircraft fire, Major Edmundson, with cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety, scored a 500-pound-bomb hit just abaft the after turret of a Japanese cruiser, setting up a series of violent explosions aboard the vessel and leaving her in a rage of flames. His superb airmanship and loyal devotion to the accomplishment of a highly important objective contributed materially to the success of our forces in the campaign of the Solomon Islands

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Heavy Bomber and Commanding Officer of a Bombing Squadron and subsequently a Bombing Group in the Pacific Theater of Operations and China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Heavy Bomber and Commanding Officer of a Bombing Squadron and subsequently a Bombing Group in the Pacific Theater of Operations and China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    26th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 4 (January 3, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in air action while serving as a Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 26th Bombardment Squadron, 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in air action against the enemy on 25 October 1942. Major Edmundson was the first pilot on one of six airplanes sent on a striking mission against a surface task force in the vicinity of Ramos Island in the Solomon Group. The six ships went out through bad weather maintaining formation while the leader was on instruments. Near Ramos Island the flight encountered enemy warships and dropped twenty-three 500-pound bombs from 12,500 foot altitude. They bombed and sunk a large enemy warship while proceeding through heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, returning to base after dark in bad weather. All ships held formation in spite of the anti-aircraft fire and laid a beautiful pattern. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Edmundson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) James Valentine Edmundson (ASN: 0-22573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Heavy Bomber and Commanding Officer of a Bombing Squadron and subsequently a Bombing Group in the Pacific Theater of Operations and China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.