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 Lieutenant Colonel James R. McCarthy, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UC-123 pilot over hostile territory in Southeast Asia on 19 August 1968. On that date, he volunteered to fly an extremely hazardous night combat mission in direct support of a highly classified, special operation tasked by an office of the United States Military Assistance Command, Republic of Vietnam. Despite the handicaps of primary equipment failure, turbulence, instrument flight conditions, and impeding hostile threat, he elected to continue this vital mission and completed it with the highest degree of success. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel McCarthy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Air Force Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
43d Strategic WingDivision:
Andersen Air Base, Guam, 8th Air ForceAction Date:
December 26, 1972
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-511 (July 16, 1973)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 Colonel James R. McCarthy, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Airborne Mission Commander, 43d Strategic Wing, Anderson Air Base, Guam, EIGHTH Air Force, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 26 December 1972. On that date, Colonel McCarthy commanded the largest force of B-52’s ever assembled on a long-range bombing mission over sophisticated and complex air defenses. Applying his exceptional knowledge of aerial warfare tactics and through his personal courage and technical expertise, Colonel McCarthy led this mission through intense anti-aircraft fire and heavy salvos of surface-to-air missiles to deliver the ordnance of the entire force on assigned targets accurately without sustaining a single loss. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Colonel McCarthy reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General James R. McCarthy, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General McCarthy and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
September 25, 1972 – June 15, 1974
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel James R. McCarthy, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Wing Commander, 43d Strategic Wing, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, from 25 September 1972 to 15 June 1974. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel McCarthy resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Strategic Air Command and other United States Force combat operations in Southeast Asia. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel McCarthy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
May 6, 1975 – July 28, 1978
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 Legion of Merit to Brigadier General James R. McCarthy, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 42d Air Division, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, from 6 May 1975 to 28 July 1978. In this important assignment, the creative ability, exemplary foresight and devotion to duty consistently demonstrated by General McCarthy resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of national security. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by General McCarthy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James R. McCarthy, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C-123 Aircraft Commander over the Republic of Vietnam on 8 April 1966. On that date, Major McCarthy displayed outstanding airmanship and personal courage in saving his crew and aircraft during a takeoff from a hostile controlled airfield. The top ten feet of a palm tree impacted and remained in the left wing damaging the plane’s control surfaces. Major McCarthy recovered the aircraft safely despite the hazardous conditions encountered. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major McCarthy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.