The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) James Albert Watkins (ASN: 0-427786), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in operations over the Saidor area, New Guinea, on 2 August 1943. Captain Watkins was a flight leader in a group of sixteen P-38’s in an attack on barges when 12 to 14 enemy fighters were sighted attempting to intercept the bombers. He led his flight into the attack, and, making a head-on pass, shot down one of the hostile fighters which was attempting to climb into the bomber formation. Climbing to gain altitude, he made another head-on pass at a second Japanese fighter which was attacking the B-25’s. While forced to charge his guns repeatedly because of malfunctioning, he nevertheless scored hits which caused the hostile plane to start smoking and crash into the water. Despite the fact that his guns were not working properly, he again entered the fight and, sighting a single enemy fighter flying low over the water, immediately began to pursue it. Though exposing himself to attack from above, he continued to follow the plane until he succeeded in shooting it down. Throughout the entire engagement his aggressive leadership and exceptional courage were an inspiration to the other members of his flight, while his aerial victories contributed greatly to the success of the mission. The aggressive courage and exemplary devotion to duty displayed by Captain Watkins during this flight have brought honor upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) James Albert Watkins (ASN: 0-427786), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over New Guinea on 26 December 1942. Lieutenant Watkins was flying in a formation which attacked a large formation of Japanese fighter planes, and shot down one of the enemy planes which went into a spin and crashed into the ground. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Watkins, 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.