The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
FLEMING, JAMES P.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Air
Force, 20th Special Operations Squadron. Place and date: Near Duc Co, Republic of
Vietnam, 26 November 1968. Entered service at: Pullman, Wash. Born: 12
March 1943, Sedalia, Mo.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt.
Fleming (then 1st Lt.) distinguished himself as the Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F
transport Helicopter. Capt. Fleming went to the aid of a 6-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 1 helicopter had been downed by intense hostile
fire, Capt. 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, Capt. 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. Capt.
Fleming made a successful takeoff through a barrage of hostile fire and recovered safely
at a forward base. Capt. 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.
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