AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  EC-121R

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Technical Sergeant James D. Thompson for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Flight Engineer of an EC-121R reconnaissance aircraft in Southeast Asia on 9 March 1970. On that date, despite great personal danger from hostile antiaircraft artillery, with the loss of one engine and malfunctioning of another, Sergeant Thompson was able to handle the emergency and provide sufficient power from the remaining engines to enable the aircraft to maintain altitude. Sergeant Thompson and his crew were able to continue their assigned mission without the slightest degradation of mission requirements. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Thompson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.