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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot at Cao Nung, North Vietnam on 11 July 1966. On that date, Major Kasler was mission commander of a coordinated interdiction effort launched against North Vietnam’s vital northeast rail line, one of the two primary land routes of re-supply from Communist China. Major Kasler led his flight to this heavily defended railroad bridge target at tree top altitude with unerring accuracy and, although the bridge was partially obscured by cloud cover, maneuvered his flight so as to achieve destruction of this important target under intense hostile ground fire. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Kasler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster lieu of a Eighth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot near Kep, North Vietnam, on 18 July 1966. On that date, Major Kasler led his flight in the interdiction of the arterial northeast rail line between Hanoi and Communist China at the Suoi Co railroad bridge. After successfully attacking his assigned target, Major Kasler led his flight on a strafing rampage which, despite continuous heavy fire by the numerous anti-aircraft artillery batteries lining the rail line, resulted in the destruction of three separate trains heavily loaded with materials vital to North Vietnam’s war machine. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Kasler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 8, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    Lieutenant Colonel James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 8, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    354th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    June 29, 1966
    Department of the Air force, Special Order GB-296 (1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, in action over Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 29 June 1966. On that date, Major Kasler was Mission Commander of the second and largest wave of fighter-bombers to strike the heavily defended Hanoi petroleum products storage complex. Despite a seemingly impenetrable canopy of bursting projectiles thrown up by hostile defenses of this key facility, Major Kasler determinedly and precisely led his striking force to the exact release point where he and his followers placed their ordnance directly on target, causing it to erupt in a huge fireball of burning petroleum. Performing armed reconnaissance during his withdrawal, Major Kasler, with total disregard for his personal safety, personally destroyed five trucks before low fuel reserves forced him to terminate his attack. Through his extraordinary heroism superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Kasler reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    May 4, 1952
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 510 (July 7, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 4 May 1952 while participating in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea. While flying patrol over the Chosan area, North Korea, eight MiG-15’s were sighted at 2,000 feet. Covering as his flight leader pressed an attack, Lieutenant Kasler picked up two additional MiG’s countering on his leader. After calling for a break and realizing that his leader intended to continue firing rather than turn from his critical position, he initiated an attack on the two MiG’s. Closing, Lieutenant Kasler fired on the leader scoring hits which resulted in an explosion. After the destruction of this MiG, he succeeded in fighting off four more attempts made by the enemy to close on his leader. The brilliant airmanship and heroic tenacity by which Lieutenant Kasler destroyed one MiG and repulsed attempts by the enemy to break up his flight reflects great credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    July 3, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot at Phu Tho, North Vietnam on 3 July 1966. On that date, Major Kasler determinedly led his flight through solid weather that persisted from the refueling area to the heavily defended Red River Valley which he had been ordered to reconnoiter. There he discovered and attacked three trains in the Phu Tho marshalling yard, despite intense defensive fire, and destroyed both the trains and the yard in which they stood. He then attacked a convoy of trucks, personally destroying four of them before dwindling fuel reserves forced his withdrawal. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Kasler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June – July, 1968

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1968 through July 1968. During this period, Colonel Kasler accomplished an amazing feat of resistance against the North Vietnamese when they attempted to force him to meet a visiting delegation and appear before television and news cameras. Through personal fortitude and absolute heroism, he completely withstood the most brutal of Vietnamese tortures and caused his captors extreme embarrassment in their failure to gain useful propaganda statements. Through extraordinary heroism, staunch display of courage, and willpower in the face of the enemy, Colonel Kasler reflected the highest credit on himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    354th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    August 6, 1966
    Department of the Air force, Special Order GB-310 (1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Cross to Major James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Yen Bay, North Vietnam, on 6 August 1966. On that date, Major Kasler led a flight of fighter-bombers against a heavily defended target in evaluating a low level ordnance delivery tactic. While carrying out this hazardous mission, a wingman was forced to eject over unfriendly territory. Major Kasler located the downed airman and flew cover until perilously low fuel compelled him to leave. Refueling aerially, Major Kasler returned to relocate the downed pilot so he could direct rescue operations. At great risk to his own life, he explored the gun infested countryside at tree-top level, valiantly searching, but was unable to locate his fellow American. Major Kasler’s Thunderchief was hit by destructive ground fire during his valorous search, and he too ejected into unfriendly hands. Through his extraordinary heroism superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Kasler reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    June 2, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 fighter-bomber pilot at Thai Nhyen, North Vietnam on 2 June 1966. On that date, Major Kasler led his flight to the heavily defended Thai Nhyen highway bridge despite marginal weather conditions en route and in the target area that hampered his navigation and target acquisition. Despite accurate tracking fire that rocked his aircraft during the delivery maneuver, Major Kasler placed his two three-thousand-pound bombs on the center span of the bridge, rendering it unserviceable. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Kasler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    March 14, 1966 – August 8, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Major James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for meritorious service as Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force from 14 March 1966 to 8 August 1966. During this period Major Kasler played a significant role in the development, dissemination and execution of fighter-bomber tactical doctrine in the conflict against Communist North Vietnam. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kasler in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 15, 1952
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 397 (August 8, 1952)

    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 the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James Helms Kasler (AFSN: O-2221728/24551A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea, on 15 May 1952. While on patrol in North Korea, Lieutenant Kasler sighted three MiGs and immediately attacked. He closed to one hundred feet and fired several short bursts, causing one MiG-15 to burst into flames. During this attack the other two MiGs had closed on Lieutenant Kasler, and he continued deliberately to draw their fire while directing his wingman so that he could destroy one of the attacking MiGs. The third MiG then ceased firing at Lieutenant Kasler and made one firing pass at his wingman. This maneuver permitted Lieutenant Kasler to fall in behind, pursuing the MiG at tree-top level through an extremely heavy concentration of ground fire. After a fifty-mile chase, Lieutenant Kasler was able to close on the MiG and destroy it. In employing these tactics of exposing himself to both air attack and heavy ground fire, Lieutenant Kasler and his wingman were able to destroy all three of the MiGs. Through his exceptional gallantry and keen airmanship, Lieutenant Kasler reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.