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 T. Billingsley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander northwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 12 August 1972. On that date, Major Billingsley flew as wingman in a weather reconnaissance flight attacked by two hostile aircraft. With disregard for his personal safety, Major Billingsley provided an invaluable contribution to the flight’s success in eluding the initial attack and in destroying one of the enemy aircraft in the following engagement. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Billingsley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Major James T. Billingsley, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander northwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 16 September 1972. On that date, Major Billingsley flew his unarmed reconnaissance aircraft to obtain post-strike bomb damage assessment of the heavily defended Kep Airfield storage area. Undeterred by the multiple anti-aircraft artillery fire directed at his aircraft, Major Billingsley penetrated the area and returned with complete photographic coverage of all of his assigned targets. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Billingsley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.