The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain James C. Ryan, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller in Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam on 24 May 1966. On that date, Captain Ryan came to the aid of friendly ground forces attempting to rescue a downed Air Force pilot. Remaining in the area for over two hours below five hundred feet, he braved intense hostile ground fire while directing close support sorties and conducting innumerable harassment passes at the opposing forces until the friendly wounded forces could be evacuated. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ryan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.orgThe 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 Captain James C. Ryan, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Air Liaison Officer on 2 October 1966 near Xuan Binh, Phu My Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Major Ryan voluntarily piloted an unarmed Command and Control UH-1D Aircraft for almost fourteen hours and participated in eight combat assault landings into an area of intense automatic weapons fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Ryan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.