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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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Armor) James Allen Crowley, II (ASN: 0-5256958), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 16 October 1968 while serving with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Lieutenant Crowley was participating in a low level reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Lai Khe when his platoon leader located a large Viet Cong bunker and tunnel complex. Immediately the friendly force was taken under intense automatic weapons fire, hitting the platoon leader’s ship a number of times and critically wounding him. Lieutenant Crowley immediately assumed command of the platoon and with complete disregard for his own safety, continued to search the enemy complex, locating the firing positions. Again and again Lieutenant Crowley directed his vulnerable aircraft over the enemy positions, directing his minigun’s and door gunner’s fire into the hostile positions. During this time, Lieutenant Crowley, although under constant fire, calmly radioed in vital information on the location of the hostile positions, the estimated number of troops and the types of weapons. During his final low level pass over the complex, the heavy enemy fire directed at the aircraft mortally wounded him. First Lieutenant Crowley’s unwavering devotion to duty and great personal sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Armor)

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    October 10, 1968
    Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1611 (November 4, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Armor) James Allen Crowley, II (ASN: 0-5256958), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 10 October 1968 while serving with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of Tan Uyen, Lieutenant Crowley was leading a scout team on a low level visual reconnaissance mission in search of a Viet Cong unit which had been observed earlier in the immediate area. Suddenly the scout team received an intensive volley of automatic weapons fire from a heavily-wooded area. In the initial burst of fire, Lieutenant Crowley’s wingman received numerous hits, completely disabling the aircraft which crashed into the middle of the Viet Cong positions. Completely disregarding his personal safety, Lieutenant Crowley dropped down and began to circle the area in order to provide cover for his downed comrades. Observing a small landing zone nearby, Lieutenant Crowley landed in the enemy-infested area and dispatched his crew chief to the scene of the crash. Upon learning that the crew chief of the downed aircraft could not be moved due to his critical injuries, Lieutenant Crowley flew his ship to an area surrounded by 60-foot tall trees which was closer to the crash site in order to successfully extract him. Due to Lieutenant Crowley’s courage and outstanding flying ability, the injured crewman was successfully evacuated. First Lieutenant Crowley’s unwavering devotion to duty and exceptional heroism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.