The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major James Winsmann, United States Air Force (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 711th Special Operations Squadron, 919th Operations Group, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, in military operations against an opposing armed force near Baghdad, Iraq, on 2 April 2003. On that date, Major Winsmann, MC-130E Combat Talon I Pilot, was tasked to provide ingress and egress aerial refueling to a Special Forces helicopter formation infiltrating Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces and other government agents into the coveted Thar-Thar Palace, a suspected site of weapons of mass destruction and a vital intelligence node. Major Winsmann, piloting the unarmed MC-130 Combat Talon I, led a formation of three Combat Talons and a 10-ship rotary wing insertion package into the teeth of enemy fire. While conducting a helicopter aerial refueling, Major Winsmann’s aircraft was directly engaged by a surface-to-air missile. By single-handedly identifying the launch, missile characteristics, and directing defensive maneuvers, Major Winsmann’s aircraft narrowly averted direct missile impact by a harrowing 50 feet. Knowing the critical nature of the mission, he pressed forward to an ad-hoc refueling location still inside the enemy’s threat envelope. While loitering, at 250 feet above the ground, for the rotary wing package to arrive at the new location, Major Winsmann’s aircraft was engaged by a second surface-to-air missile. Displaying exemplary aerial skill and incredible poise under fire, Major Winsmann dove his aircraft to less than 100 feet above the ground while performing aggressive defensive maneuvers to defeat the deadly threat. With complete disregard for personal safety, Major Winsmann once again chose to press forward exposing his slow-moving aircraft to the enemy and completed a second refueling. Enduring three separate missile engagements, Major Winsmann led the formation through six aerial refuelings and successfully passed over 50,000 pounds of fuel to 10 fuel-critical helicopters deep inside enemy controlled territory. Because of Major Winsmann’s outstanding service before self and courage under fire, inside the lethal range of Iraq’s formidable integrated air defense system, national objectives were accomplished leading to the swift defeat of an oppressive Iraqi Regime. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Winsmann has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.