James Phillip Fleming

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain [then First Lieutenant] James Phillip Fleming, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 20th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, in action near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam, on 26 November 1968. Captain Fleming distinguished himself as the Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F transport Helicopter. Captain Fleming went to the aid of a six-man special forces long range reconnaissance patrol that was in danger of being overrun by a large, heavily armed hostile force. Despite the knowledge that one helicopter had been downed by intense hostile fire, Captain Fleming descended, and balanced his helicopter on a river bank with the tail boom hanging over open water. The patrol could not penetrate to the landing site and he was forced to withdraw. Dangerously low on fuel, Captain Fleming repeated his original landing maneuver. Disregarding his own safety, he remained in this exposed position. Hostile fire crashed through his windscreen as the patrol boarded his helicopter. Captain Fleming made a successful takeoff through a barrage of hostile fire and recovered safely at a forward base. Captain Fleming’s profound concern for his fellowmen, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James Phillip Fleming, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving with the 20th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, DaNang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, in action against the enemy on 25 November 1968. On that date, Lieutenant Fleming, Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F helicopter, reached a Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol which was under attack and about to be overrun by a large hostile force. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Fleming descended into and landed in a hostile automatic weapons and rocket barrage to rescue the Special Forces Patrol. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Fleming has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.