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 Lieutenant Colonel James Russell Brickel (AFSN: 0-23277), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a photo reconnaissance pilot of the 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam, on 10 March 1967. On that date, Colonel Brickel led a flight of two RF-101C photo reconnaissance aircraft on a bomb damage assessment mission against one of the most highly defended targets in North Vietnam. Despite a direct hit by an anti-aircraft artillery flak that extensively damaged his aircraft, Colonel Brickel continued to the target and acquired one hundred percent photographic coverage. He then made a successful withdrawal from hostile territory on a single engine and landed at his home base. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.