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 Major James T. Newman, 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 Troop C, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, in action on 18 February 1971, in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Newman was on another mission when he was informed of the plight of a downed American medical evacuation helicopter. He immediately rushed to the location of the downed aircraft. Upon arrival at the landing zone, his helicopter received extremely intense anti-aircraft fire. Using evasive tactics he continued toward his objective, hampered further by dense smoke from grass fires and dust clouds from exploding enemy mortar rounds. Disregarding the intense hostile weapons fire, he remained in the landing zone well beyond the range of feasible safety so that the downed crew, two of whom were seriously wounded, could crawl from their bunker to his aircraft. He then flew his aircraft out of the area through a two-and-one-half kilometer-wide corridor of continuing intense anti-aircraft fire. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, he averted loss of life and prevented further injury to the crewmembers of the downed medical evacuation helicopter. Major Newman’s extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.