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 Staff Sergeant James Edwin Riffo, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Flight Engineer in Laos on 10 February 1971. On that date, he participated in an air strike directed against hostile supply vehicles traveling the infamous and heavily defended Ho Chi Minh Trail. Despite accurate fire from counterattacking anti-aircraft guns, Sergeant Riffo persisted in his efforts and contributed immeasurably to the damage or destruction of 29 hostile vehicles, the ignition of 13 secondary fires and the creation of 27 secondary explosions. Moreover, his actions dealt a severe blow to the hostile forces actively engaged in combat by denying them supplies necessary to sustain operations. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Riffo reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2452 (August 5, 1971)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 Staff Sergeant James Edwin Riffo, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as an AC-130 Gunship Flight Engineer over Laos on 2 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over some of the most heavily defended hostile supply routes in Southeast Asia, the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail, he contributed immeasurably in a devastating attack which resulted in the damage or destruction of 36 supply vehicles. Harassed at every point of ht emission by accurate anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles, he skillfully monitored and operated the delicate aircraft systems to the precise tolerances demanded for the attack. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Riffo has reflected 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant James Edwin Riffo, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Flight Engineer over Laos on 22 February 1971. On that date, while flying a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 35 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of 21 secondary fires and the ignition of 15 secondary explosions. His dedicated efforts and superior capabilities contributed directly toward the success of this devastating attack, which denied hostile forces badly needed supplies and equipment. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Riffo 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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant James Edwin Riffo, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Flight Engineer over Laos on 1 April 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, his actions led to the damage or destruction of 33 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of 34 secondary fires and the ignition of 31 secondary explosions. Exhibiting expertise and resolution, he flawlessly managed the gunship’s vital systems, coordinated with the Aircraft Commander on weapon status, and scanned the forward horizon for the intense, deadly anti-aircraft fire that the crew encountered that night, thereby contributing greatly to the successful interdiction strike against the hostile logistic system. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Riffo reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.