The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain James Marvin Perryman, Jr. (MCSN: 0-67837), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron 6 (VMO-6), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the vicinity of Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam, 16 June 1966. Flying an armed UH-1E helicopter, Captain Perryman was assigned as escort on a medical evacuation flight to recover wounded and dead of an eighteen man Marine Reconnaissance Team surrounded by an enemy battalion. Upon establishing that the evacuation helicopter could not land because of the volume of enemy fire, he quickly reacted to the desperate situation by requesting a reaction force, immediate fixed wing air cover and a flare drop aircraft. The ferocity and accuracy of Captain Perryman’s attacks halted the advance of the enemy and provided the necessary time for supporting aircraft to arrive at the battle. With all of his ammunition expended he remained at the scene to direct airstrikes and flare drops, leaving only when it was necessitated by a dangerously low fuel state. Twice he was forced to return for refueling and rearming in the course of the action. On the third trip he returned as his Commanding Officer’s wingman. While marking a landing zone his flight leader was shot down and mortally wounded, and Captain Perryman’s aircraft in escort was severely damaged. With all of his radios shot away he followed his flight leader’s aircraft to where it had landed, in a position surrounded and under fire by the enemy. Landing almost simultaneously beside the stricken helicopter, he calmly directed the rescue of the downed aircraft while enemy guerrillas moved towards them. With extraordinary aeronautical skill he flew his damaged and severely overloaded helicopter from the surrounded position even as the other aircraft was destroyed by an explosive charge. By his courage, exemplary leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Perryman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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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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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
June 1972 – July 1974
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel James Marvin Perryman, Jr. (MCSN: 0-67837), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Commanding Officer of Marine Helicopter Squadron ONE from June 1972 to July 1974. Throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Perryman served as the Marine Presidential Helicopter Pilot, transporting not only the President of the United States, but also the highest ranking dignitaries of this and foreign governments, both military and civilian. His duties, as Presidential Helicopter Pilot, required frequent deployments of men and aircraft under his command through the United States and abroad. Lieutenant Colonel Perryman’s aeronautical excellence, sound judgment, and superior initiative were readily apparent and an inspiration to all who observed him. His command consistently provided safe, dependable, and timely helicopter service whenever and wherever directed by the Office of the Military Assistant to the President, as evidenced by the achievement over the years of 65,000 accident-free flight hours. Lieutenant Colonel Perryman’s imaginative leadership, flawless professionalism, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
December 1978 – January 1981
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel James Marvin Perryman, Jr. (MCSN: 0-67837), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Project Manager of the H-46/H-53 Helicopter Weapon Systems from December 1978 through January 1981. Demonstrating exceptional managerial skill, Colonel Perryman was responsible for the successful transition of the CH-53E Super Stallion from development to production. He was instrumental in forming a cohesive, effective project team spanning the full gauntlet of management responsibilities in a dual platform project office. While directing efforts related to the new production CH-53E, Colonel Perryman was also very responsive to fleet needs as he resolved readiness problems encountered by the CH-53A/D’s and the CH-46 family of helicopters. He had additional management responsibility for complex and widely diverse RDT&E programs and was instrumental in providing a night vision capability for all helicopters and a new airborne mine countermeasures capability for the Navy CHY-53E’s. Colonel Perryman superbly managed the complexities of the development and the systems acquisition process, frequently eliminating problems at their root cause to maintain program schedules and stay within allocated resources. By his dynamic leadership, consistently sound judgment, technical expertise, and steadfast dedication to duty, Colonel Perryman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James Marvin Perryman, Jr. (MCSN: 0-67837), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) with Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 March 1966, Captain Perryman displayed great personal courage and professional skill while directing bombing and strafing attacks by an A-4 aircraft in support of a medical evacuation mission to rescue twenty-four critically wounded Marines. The mission was conducted against a well deployed and heavily armed Viet Cong unit, which brought intense automatic weapons fire to bear upon both the incoming rescue helicopters and the Marines in the landing zone. Captain Perryman exercised keen judgment while controlling fixed wing air strikes against the enemy positions, enabling four medical evacuation helicopters to land safely at an alternate landing zone. While the dead and wounded were being loaded aboard the helicopters, Captain Perryman, displaying great determination and superior aeronautical skill, made repeated rocket and strafing attacks in the face of heavy fire originating from the remaining enemy positions. Captain Perryman’s courageous and aggressive actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorAction Date:
January 21, 1970 – January 16, 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major James Marvin Perryman, Jr. (MCSN: 0-67837), United States Marine Corps, for meritorious service in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, from 21 January 1970 to 16 January 1971. Throughout this period, Major Perryman performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as the Executive Officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO, he skillfully assisted his Commanding Officer in supervising the myriad functions of his command. Displaying exceptional leadership, he rapidly molded his staff into a smoothly operating organization and provided continuous direction and guidance to assigned personnel. In addition, he continued to distinguish himself in the performance of his duties while directing an efficient awards program which contributed immeasurably to the high level of morale within the Squadron. Reassigned as Executive Officer of Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron SIXTEEN, and assuming command of the Squadron in September 1970, he boldly initiated an extensive reorganization program which considerably improved the efficiency and morale of his unit. Major Perryman’s outstanding leadership, professional competence, and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.