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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James C. Perso, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group Eleven, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy. Early on the morning of 13 October 1968, Captain Perso launched as Aircraft Commander aboard an A-6 Intruder aircraft assigned an armed reconnaissance mission over a heavily defended section of North Vietnam. Despite the intermittent malfunction of target acquisition equipment, Captain Perso resolutely elected to continue the mission. Arriving over the designated area, he delivered his ordnance with unerring accuracy despite a heavy volume of hostile antiaircraft fire. Continuing his determined efforts, Captain Perso successfully executed evasive maneuvers and completed a second run against the target area. Skillfully piloting his Intruder to another target, he was again faced with the problem of malfunctioning acquisition equipment. Dauntlessly proceeding with the mission, he directed his aircraft over the area and delivered his ordnance with devastating effectiveness, causing three secondary explosions and numerous fires. Captain Perso’s courage, superior professionalism and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.