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Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major James C. Harding (AFSN: 0-57979), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 2 June 1972. On that date, Major Harding flew as flight leader on an extremely hazardous and complex search and rescue mission to recover an American crew member in the heavily fortified Red River Valley. While providing protective escort for the vulnerable rescue helicopter, Major Harding deliberately and repeatedly exposed his slow-moving aircraft to intense anti-aircraft fire, counterattacked hostile gun positions, and intercepted and attacked a hostile aircraft forcing it to depart the area. His actions were vital in allowing the rescue helicopter to effect a safe and successful recovery of the downed crew member. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Harding has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order GB-32 (January 10, 1973)
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Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] James C. Harding (AFSN: 0-57979), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in South Vietnam from 1 May 1972 to 2 May 1972. During this period, Colonel Harding volunteered to fly in support of a search and rescue operation attempting to recover American and allied personnel who were surrounded by a large and well-armed force of advancing hostile troops. A direct hit by a surface-to-air missile causing painful injuries forced him to leave his aircraft. Following his timely rescue, and disregarding his personal discomfort, Colonel Harding provided invaluable assistance in the eventual rescue of the stranded personnel. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Harding has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order GB-48 (January 12, 1973)
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Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major James C. Harding (AFSN: 0-57979), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 34th Tactical Group, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Tchepone, Laos from 10 April 1972 to 13 April 1972. During this period, Major Harding was the on-scene commander of an extremely hazardous and complex search and rescue mission that was attempting to recover a downed American pilot who was located in Laos. Major Harding made repeated passes at low altitude and airspeed, directly over a hostile gun position, in order to draw anti-aircraft fire and pinpoint its position. In spite of battle damage to his aircraft, Major Harding repeatedly counterattacked the numerous heavy gun positions, thereby allowing the vulnerable rescue helicopters to effect a safe and successful recovery of the downed pilot. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Major Harding reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-722 (November 22, 1972)
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Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain James C. Harding (AFSN: 0-57979), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in the Republic of Vietnam, on 16 July 1965. On that date, Captain Harding was returning from a visual reconnaissance mission in his O-1F aircraft when he spotted a concentration of Viet Cong troops on a jungle road. Suspecting they were preparing to ambush a friendly force which was approaching the area, he immediately called for an air strike. While orbiting the Viet Cong positions, he received intense small arms fire which wounded him and damaged his aircraft. Realizing that the fighter aircraft could not arrive in time to stem the ambush, he initiated a daring and difficult feat of flying his aircraft and firing one hundred rounds of ammunition from his M-16 rifle into Viet Cong positions, routing them and forcing them to withdraw into the jungle. Captain Harding, displaying outstanding professional skill, then flew his badly damaged aircraft to Bien Hoa Air Base and effected a safe landing despite the handicap of a wounded arm. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Harding has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order G-75 (March 21, 1966)
