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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) James R. McCutchan, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. Flying from bases in China as pilots of fighter type aircraft, they distinguished themselves while participating in fifty combat missions during World War II. Many of these missions were flown in the face of fire from hostile aircraft and enemy ground installations, but these pilots aggressively sought out the foe. Flying, dive-bombing, strafing, bomber escort and reconnaissance missions against enemy installations, lines of communication and supply concentrations, they have inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in material and personnel. The accomplishments of these officers reflect great credit on themselves and are in accordance with the fine traditions of the Army Air Forces.