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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third 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 18 June 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer of the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of An Loc, Major Braden received word of a major assault in progress. He immediately deployed elements of the troop to the area and coordinated the multi-aircraft in the area. As he passed his aircraft over the contact zone Major Bradin discovered a series of bunker complexes in the rubber trees. While the ship was maneuvering at treetop level, a squad of North Vietnamese Army soldiers, equipped with anti-aircraft machine guns and other automatic weapons, engaged the helicopter with intense barrages of firepower. The enemy fire riddled the aircraft, piercing the legs of the pilot and killing the door gunners. The cockpit was immediately filled with smoke and debris and the damaged caused by the fire forced the ship to crash very near the hostile emplacements. The impact of the crash left Major Bradin with multiple gashes about his face. He immediately freed himself from the wreckage and dashed to the other side of the cockpit, armed only with a pistol, and managed to pull the seriously wounded pilot from the aircraft. He then entered the cargo compartment and attempted to drag the two bodies away from the burning ship but was violently thrown to the ground by exploding fuel tanks which engulfed the entire ship in flames. Major Bradin then returned to the pilot and carried him over two hundred meters to a defilade position and administered first aid. Major Bradin’s gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.