AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  AC-130

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James D. Pirie for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia, on 9 January 1970. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over the hostile supply trails leading to South Vietnamese cities, Major Pirie's actions led to the destruction of twenty-three hostile supply vehicles and the damaging of three others. Although faced with intense anti-aircraft fire, this proved to be one of the most successful interdiction missions ever flown over Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Pirie 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 to Major James D. Pirie for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 10 February 1970. On that date, his actions aided in the destruction and damaging of 36 hostile supply vehicles and the creation of 69 secondary fires and explosions. His heroic and determined efforts in the face of accurate anti-aircraft fire denied the use of large amounts of supplies to hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Pirie reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James D. Pirie for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over Southeast Asia as an AC-130 Gunship Aircraft Commander on 13 April 1970. On that date, while on an armed reconnaissance mission over the hostile supply trails leading to South Vietnamese cities, he displayed the highest degree of courage and tenacity of purpose in destroying 17 hostile supply vehicles and damaging 3 others while faced with intense barrages of anti-aircraft fire. No greater service can be rendered than that of interdicting supplies and munitions meant for use against the friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Pirie reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James D. Pirie for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 4 May 1970. While on a night armed reconnaissance mission over hostile supply trails, leading to South Vietnamese cities, his actions led to the destruction of 16 supply vehicles and the ignition of 17 secondary fires and explosions. No greater service can be rendered than that of interdicting munitions and supplies meant for use against the friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Pirie reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.