AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  OH-6A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant James P. Causey for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. On 14 May 1969 First Lieutenant Causey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as the Pilot of an OH-6A scout aircraft on a hunter-killer mission south of Nha Be. His team received notification that an Allied platoon was in contact. He arrived at the contact site and established radio contact with the platoon advisor. As the friendly platoon chased the enemy, they quickly became separated from their leaders. First Lieutenant Causey noticed that six men were in danger of being cut off from the main body of their platoon. He elected to land the aircraft in a clearing and pick up one man from the platoon in order to spot both parts of the platoon, plot their positions on a map and reunite them. During one of the passes over an area he spotted a bunker next to a stream. The observer threw out a smoke grenade to mark the location. They quickly landed and let the passenger rejoin his platoon. In the air again, he flew past the bunker. A soldier standing in the bunker opened fire but was killed by fire from the observer. He made three firing dives at the bunker, the result of which was complete destruction of the bunker. His gun runs forced the enemy to flee, and they were quickly killed or captured. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.