The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant James Bradsher Abbitt (NSN: 0-647307/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (VA-164), in the U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), during a combat mission over North Vietnam on 7 November 1965. Lieutenant Abbitt participated in a highly successful attack against a surface-to-air missile site located 50 miles southeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Although the site was heavily defended in depth by both surface-to-air missiles and conventional anti-aircraft artillery, he boldly continued on to the target area at high speed and extremely low level and executed a pop-up dive bombing attack. Almost from the moment of pop-up his aircraft received intense enemy anti-aircraft fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety in the face of great danger he resolutely pressed his attack and delivered his ordnance precisely on the missile site. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk, Lieutenant Abbitt upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.