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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-24 type aircraft of the 767th Bombardment Squadron, 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 2 August 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp led his group on a bombing mission against a vital enemy railroad bridge in France. Despite intense, heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire encountered, displaying exceptional leadership and courage, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp brought his entire formation through the enemy defenses for a highly successful bombing run. Under his capable direction, the bombs from his ship and those of his entire formation were concentrated in the immediate target area, causing grave damage to this important link in the enemy’s lines of communications and transportation. Turning from the objective, despite continued enemy opposition together with severe and adverse weather encountered en route, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp brought his entire formation through for a safe landing at base without loss. By his outstanding professional skill, leadership and intense devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout his brilliant combat career, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) James Barclay Knapp (ASN: 0-21890), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations effective 7 October 1944. Throughout many long and hazardous combat missions against vital strategic targets deep in enemy occupied territory, though confronted by heavy enemy opposition from highly aggressive enemy fighters and intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire, Colonel Knapp has consistently displayed outstanding courage, aggressiveness and intense devotion to duty throughout all engagements. With his aircraft frequently damaged by heavy enemy fire, he has courageously remained at his station, battling his way through to his targets to aid materially in the utter destruction of vitally important enemy installations and supplies. Heedless of severe and adverse weather conditions encountered over rugged mountainous terrain and surmounting many other major obstacles that faced him during these hazardous missions, he has gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy with complete disregard for his personal safety and against overwhelming odds. The conspicuous and extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successful combat operations and have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.