The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) James A. Bridges, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Aero Scout Company, 123d Aviation Battalion, Americal Division. Warrant Officer Bridges distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 July 1969 while piloting a light observation helicopter in support of infantry troops who had engaged a North Vietnamese unit northwest of Duc Pho. In attempting to sweep the enemy from their fortified positions within a bamboo-covered trench, the Americans became stalled and suffered several casualties. Mister Bridges immediately began flying low passes over the hostile positions in order to mark them with smoke grenades. Concentrating their fire power on the pin-pointed targets, the friendly troops soon disorganized the enemy. Experiencing control difficulties because his craft had been damaged by hostile fire, Mister Bridges started to leave the area when he sighted a wounded American lying close to the enemy bunkers and isolated from his comrades. Despite the limited landing space and its proximity to the enemy, he landed and took the casualty aboard. Ignoring the hostile barrage that raked his craft, he lifted off to accomplish the evacuation. Warrant Officer Bridges’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.