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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James R. Boyd for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. Major Boyd distinguished himself by valorous action while serving as an Air Mission Commander performing a combat assault mission in the vicinity of Cai Loy. The 9th US Infantry Division was conducting an eagle flight operation, and the units had been in sporadic contact all thru the morning and had captured several Viet Cong suspects. He unhesitatingly volunteered his aircraft for their extraction. One of the suspects revealed the location of an enemy battalion. Without hesitation and with unerring detail, Major Boyd quickly organized his airmobile assets for repositioning the ground troops. Unable to obtain a checkfire of artillery in the air space his flight must penetrate, he directed them low level into the landing zone. As his flight emerged over a tree line, the gunships fired vicious bursts of rocket and mini-gun fire into the enemy positions. The enemy was completely surprised by the vicious aerial attack and before being given a chance to regain their senses, the flight emerged completely unscathed from the landing zone. On one occasion, he personally and intentionally exposed himself to intense enemy ground fire to mark a landing zone for his flight. While orbiting after completing the combat assault, he observed a downed OH-23 helicopter, north of the operational area. He directed his aircraft in for the rescue of the downed crew and extracted an aerial observer. His actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect the highest amount of credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.