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 Captain James Dickinson Cutter (AFSN: FR-3131651), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over Southeast Asia on 17 February 1972. On that date, Captain Cutter was in a flight of two F-105 aircraft on a surface-to-air missile and radar directed anti-aircraft artillery suppression mission in support of a large strike force. By exposing his aircraft within lethal range of hostile defensive weapon systems, he diverted the attention of these weapons from the strike and support forces, allowing them to successfully accomplish the assigned mission and to evacuate the threat area safely. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cutter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James Dickinson Cutter (AFSN: FR-3131651), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over Southeast Asia on 26 January 1972. On this date, while flying a fully armed F-105G aircraft in support of B-52 bombers, enemy surface-to-air missile sites began launching missiles from positions located within the target area. Captain Cutter correctly evaluated the threat and launched a successful counterattack against the hostile sites suppressing the threats through use of air-to-ground missiles and allowing the friendly strike force to safely depart the target area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cutter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 27 – December 18, 1972
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 Captain James Dickinson Cutter (AFSN: FR-3131651), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Major Cutter and three fellow officers planned and executed a sabotage operation disabling five enemy supply trucks used for anti-aircraft ammunition and other supplies, by placing sugar taken from food rations in the fuel tanks. All trucks were put out of service and one engine was destroyed. These acts of sabotage were undertaken with complete disregard for personal safety in the face of severe punishment by the Vietnamese, if caught. By his heroic actions and devotion to duty, Major Cutter reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 17, 1972 – March 28, 1973
Captain James Dickinson Cutter (AFSN: FR-3131651), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 17, 1972 until his release on March 28, 1973.