James Buchanan Busey Iv

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to James Buchanan Busey, IV (586527), Commander [then Lieutenant Commander], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 21 August 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (VA-163), embarked in U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34). During a combat mission over North Vietnam, Commander Busey was the leader of a section in a six-aircraft bombing element which attacked the Hanoi thermal power plant in the face of the enemy’s most sophisticated and complex arsenal of air defense weapons. As he commenced his attack, Commander Busey sustained antiaircraft hits to his aircraft. He skillfully regained control of his aircraft and, although his plane was severely damaged, renewed his attack, placing his weapon precisely on target. Subsequent bomb damage assessment photography confirmed that he inflicted heavy damage to his assigned portion of the thermal power plant. Although still severely handicapped by his damaged aircraft, Commander Busey evaded four surface-to-air missiles during his egress from the target area. Then, through skillful airmanship, he returned his crippled aircraft to the aircraft carrier. By his tenacious aggressiveness, professionalism, and heroic actions in the face of the enemy’s massed and determined defenses, Commander Busey upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.