The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James Norman Cupp (MCSN: 0-9004), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in attacks against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot attached to a Marine Aircraft Group operating in the Solomon Islands Area for destroying two and one half enemy aircraft on 17 July 1943. On 17 July, while leading a division of four escort planes in a strike, he and his wingman struck together and succeeded in shooting up a Zero so completely that it exploded in mid-air. Becoming separated from his wingman during this attack, Captain Cupp found himself in the midst of about twelve Zeros. Displaying outstanding airmanship, he maneuvered his fighter in such a manner that not only did he escape all damage to himself, but succeeded in blasting one of the enemy fighters from the sky. During the return to Henderson Field, straggling torpedo bombers were attacked by three Zeros which he drove away unassisted, shooting one of the three enemy fighters down in flames.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James Norman Cupp (MCSN: 0-9004), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Division Leader attached to a Marine Fighting Squadron operating in the Solomon Islands Area from 5 to 20 September 1943. Flying cover for our bombers during retirement from a strike against Kahili Airfield, on Bougainville Island, Captain Cupp led his division in an expert interception of a large force of attacking Zeros and sent two of the fighters crashing to the sea in flames. On 18 September his division engaged a superior number of hostile dive bombers and fighters and, again displaying exceptional skill and daring, he personally brought down four bombers and aided in the destruction of another. Captain Cupp’s superb airmanship, outstanding courage and devotion to duty throughout these and other vital missions in the face of severe enemy opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.