The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Armor) James T. Luscinski, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 158th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) (Airmobile), 101st Airborne Division, in action on 8 October 1969, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Luscinski distinguished himself while serving as pilot of the lead aircraft of two AH-1G Cobra Helicopters. During the early evening hours of the cited date, an aircraft was forced down in the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. Although darkness and marginal weather presented an obstacle to flight, Captain Luscinski unhesitatingly volunteered to lead in a search and rescue mission. He remained airborne for over an hour, skirting the weather and attempting to reach the downed aircraft. While returning to Camp Evans to refuel before continuing the mission, his aircraft came under enemy ground fire. As a result of the damage caused by the enemy fire, the aircraft crashed and Captain Luscinski was killed. His personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Armor)Batallion:
158th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) (Airmobile)Division:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
July 21, 1969
Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders No. 340 (January 18, 1970)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an 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 Captain (Armor) James T. Luscinski, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 158th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) (Airmobile), 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 21 July 1969. Captain Luscinski distinguished himself while serving as Pilot and Gunner of an AH-1G attack helicopter engaged in a combat extraction near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Luscinski made a hazardous low level flight through cloud-covered mountains. At the extraction site he placed deadly and accurate minigun and forty millimeter grenade fire on the enemy positions to protect the extraction aircraft. Although hampered by deteriorating weather, intense enemy automatic weapons fire and impending darkness, Captain Luscinski continued to fire. When his fuel ran dangerously low, he flew to the nearest base. His courageous actions were directly responsible for the successful completion of the mission. Captain Luscinski’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Armor)Batallion:
158th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) (Airmobile)Division:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
August 4, 1969
Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders No. 13721 (November 13, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Armor) James T. Luscinski, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving with Company D, 158th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) (Airmobile), 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 4 August 1969. Captain Luscinski distinguished himself while serving as pilot of an AH-1G Cobra helicopter in support of unarmed lift helicopters in the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. When the lift aircraft began to draw heavy automatic weapons fire, Captain Luscinski delivered accurate suppressive fire against the enemy positions. While making repeated passes near the hostile gun emplacement to facilitate the departure of the lift helicopters, his aircraft took two hits which disabled it. After executing an emergency landing at an abandoned airstrip, Captain Luscinski and his co-pilot secured the aircraft until an infantry platoon could be airlifted to the site of the downed aircraft. Captain Luscinski’s outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.