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 (Armor) James W. Bradin, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 27 April 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer of the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while he was flying in support of ground troops moving through dense jungle, the friendly elements suddenly came under automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a well-concealed enemy force. Disregarding the intense hostile anti-aircraft fire, Major Bradin began circling the enemy positions to mark them with smoke grenades and cover them with suppressive fire. He remained over the area directing helicopter gunship assaults and tactical airstrikes until he observed a friendly observation helicopter crash near the hostile positions. Unhesitatingly, Major Bradin landed in the contact area and led an infantry squad through the enemy fusillade to the downed aircraft. Upon realizing that the two crew members had been fatally injured in the crash, he returned to his helicopter and again began circling the contact area. For over four hours while under continuous hostile fire, he directed supporting fire and coordinated the movements of the friendly elements until the enemy force had been defeated. Major Bradin’s outstanding courage 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.

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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Armor) James W. Bradin, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 9 July 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer of the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Major Braden received word that elements of the regiment’s 2d Squadron were being attacked by a large, well-concealed enemy force. Major Bradin immediately called for helicopter gunship support and flew to the scene of the engagement. Ignoring the intense hostile automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, he made repeated low level passes over the enemy positions so that his door gunners could place accurate suppressive fire on them. When the gunships reached the contact area, he marked the enemy emplacements with smoke grenades and directed the aircraft in making rocket assaults. While flying at extremely low altitude, he spotted an enemy soldier attempting to escape from the area. Unhesitatingly, Major Bradin landed his helicopter and, armed with only a pistol, apprehended the fleeing soldier. Major Bradin’s outstanding courage 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.

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 a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Major (Armor) James W. Bradin, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 17 July 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer of the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while flying in his command and control helicopter, Major Bradin observed that a convoy had come under fire from a well-concealed enemy force south of An Loc. He quickly radioed for helicopter gunships and began making treetop-level passes over the hostile positions to mark them for gunship assaults. Although his aircraft immediately began receiving enemy automatic weapons and machine gun fire, he continued to mark the positions until he was informed that three friendly troops needed to be evacuated. Disregarding the hostile fusillade, he set his helicopter down on the highway and picked up the casualties. After flying them to a nearby aid station, Major Bradin returned to the contact area. Continuing to disregard the enemy anti-aircraft fire, he flew at a low altitude to direct the gunship assaults. When the enemy resistance had weakened, he began hovering over the area to look for enemy dead and wounded. Dissatisfied with the view from his aircraft, he landed and made a search on foot which resulted in the capture of one hostile soldier. Major Bradin’s courage, devotion to duty and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.