AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Space
MODEL:  Gemini VII, XII

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Astronaut with NASA from 4 to 18 December 1965 aboard GEMINI VII. During this period, while serving as Pilot, Captain (then Commander) Lovell completed a space flight of 330 hours and 35 minutes for a total of 206 orbits. Primarily, the crew was engaged in planned flight activities, in performing experiments and in providing the target for the GEMINI VI spacecraft. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Lovell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Astronaut with NASA from 11 to 15 November 1966 aboard GEMINI XII. During this period, while serving as Command Pilot, Captain Lovell completed a space flight of ninety-four hours and thirty-four minutes for a total of sixty-three orbits. Despite several operational problems which beset the flight, almost all of the primary objectives for the last GEMINI flight were successfully completed. The skills shown by Captain Lovell in the spacecraft and the flight controllers on the ground, proved beyond a doubt that man has, in a very real sense, conquered many of the varied problems posed by space travel. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Lovell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.