AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  EB-66, B-52G

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James H. Hilliard for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an EB-66 Electronic Warfare Officer over Southeast Asia on 30 December 1971. On that date, while flying in an unarmed electronic countermeasures aircraft in support of a tactical strike mission, Captain Hilliard’s aircraft was engaged by a hostile surface-to-air missile site. His immediate detection and timely warning of the threat enabled the pilot to evade the missiles fired at his aircraft, thereby enabling him to continue his vital support until all aircraft had safely egressed the target area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hilliard reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain James H. Hilliard for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Squadron Electronic Warfare Officer, B-52G, over North Vietnam on 28 October 1972. On that date, Captain Hilliard flew against and neutralized a key North Vietnamese logistical complex vital to the North Vietnamese offensive waged in South Vietnam. Despite extremely heavy enemy defenses and numerous equipment malfunctions, Captain Hilliard defended and helped direct his aircraft to a successful bomb release. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hilliard reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.