AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  F-100

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major James E. Williamson for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Tactical Fighter Pilot near Duc Hue Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam on 7 July 1969. On that date, Major Williamson led his flight under adverse weather conditions in support of friendly forces heavily engaged with a hostile force. In defiance of intense automatic weapons fire, Major Williamson made repeated and highly effective delivery passes on the hostile positions with devastating accuracy, thus pre-empting a large scale attack on the Special Forces camp. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Williamson 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 E. Williamson for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Tactical Fighter Pilot near Duc Hue Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam on 13 August 1969. On that date, Major Williamson led his flight against hostile gun positions actively engaged in preventing the rescue of a downed helicopter crew. Despite bad weather, nearby artillery impact points, and close proximity of friendly forces, Major Williamson, with complete disregard for his own safety, made repeated low-level attacks against the hostile positions. His attacks silenced the hostile guns and allowed a successful rescue. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed Major Williamson 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 Lieutenant Colonel James E. Williamson for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-37 Pilot near DaNang Airfield, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 September 1972. On that date, Colonel Williamson flew an extremely hazardous mission to strike a large concentration of hostile forces. Despite rapidly deteriorating weather which necessitated short radius maneuvering in extremely hazardous mountainous terrain, while under constant exposure to hostile weapons fire, Colonel Williamson persisted in remaining on target until he had destroyed two tanks, one armored personnel carrier, one gun position, and twelve unfriendly troops killed. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed Colonel Williamson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force