James P. Fleming
U.S. Air Force
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, First Lieutenant Fleming distinguished himself as the Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F transport helicopter. First Lieutenant Fleming went to the aid of a six-man Special Forces long-range reconnaissance patrol that was in danger of being overrun by a large, heavily armed hostile force. Despite the knowledge that one helicopter had been downed by intense hostile fire, First Lieutenant Fleming descended, and balanced his helicopter on a river bank with tail boom hanging over open water. The patrol could not penetrate to the landing site and he was forced to withdraw. Dangerously low on fuel, First Lieutenant Fleming repeated his original landing maneuver. Disregarding his own safety, remained in this exposed position. Hostile fire crashed through his windscreen as the patrol boarded his helicopter. First Lieutenant Fleming made a successful take-off through a barrage of hostile fire and recovered safely at a forward base. First Lieutenant Fleming’s profound concern fir his fellow men, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force, and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.On 10 March 1966, the Special Forces camp at A Shau was under attack by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army regulars. Hostile troops had positioned themselves between the airstrip and the camp. Other hostile troops had surrounded the camp and were continuously raking it with automatic weapons fire from the surrounding hills. The tops of the 1,500-foot hills were obscured by an 800-foot ceiling, limiting aircraft maneuverability and forcing the pilots to operate within range of the hostile gun positions, which often were able to fire down upon the attacking aircraft. During the battle, Major Fisher observed a fellow airman crash land on the battle-torn airstrip. In the belief that the downed pilot was seriously injured and in imminent danger of capture, Major Fisher announced his intention to land on the airstrip to effect a rescue. Although aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt, he elected to continue. Directing his own air cover, he landed his aircraft and taxied almost the length of the runway, which was littered with battle debris and parts of an exploded aircraft. While effecting a successful rescue of the downed pilot, heavy ground fire was observed, with 19 bullets striking his aircraft. In the face of the withering ground fire, he applied power and gained enough speed to lift off at the overrun of the airstrip. Major Fisher"s profound concern for his fellow airman, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon him and the Armed Forces of his country.' WHERE `ID` = 271; UPDATE `specialopsmemorial`.`tblwall` SET `Description` = 'For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, First Lieutenant Fleming distinguished himself as the Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F transport helicopter. First Lieutenant Fleming went to the aid of a six-man Special Forces long-range reconnaissance patrol that was in danger of being overrun by a large, heavily armed hostile force. Despite the knowledge that one helicopter had been downed by intense hostile fire, First Lieutenant Fleming descended, and balanced his helicopter on a river bank with tail boom hanging over open water. The patrol could not penetrate to the landing site and he was forced to withdraw. Dangerously low on fuel, First Lieutenant Fleming repeated his original landing maneuver. Disregarding his own safety, remained in this exposed position. Hostile fire crashed through his windscreen as the patrol boarded his helicopter. First Lieutenant Fleming made a successful take-off through a barrage of hostile fire and recovered safely at a forward base. First Lieutenant Fleming"s profound concern fir his fellow men, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force, and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
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