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 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 . On 15 July, Captain Cupp was leading a division of four fighters on patrol over Rendova Island during which contact was made with eighteen twin-engined bombers and approximately fifty Zeros. He singled out an enemy bomber and made repeated attacks on it until it crashed into the water. Returning home from this mission, he contacted one Zero and shot the enemy fighter out of the sky. His outstanding leadership and courageous conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.