Medal of Honor: James P. Fleming – Vietnam War – November 26, 1968

Name: James Philip Fleming
Rank: Captain (then First Lieutenant)
Organization: U.S. Air Force
Unit: 20th Special Operations Squadron
Place and Date: Near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam – 26 November 1968
Entered Service At: Pullman, Washington
Born: March 12, 1943 – Sedalia, Missouri
Departed: Survived
Accredited To: Washington

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Summary of Action

On November 26, 1968, a six-man Special Forces long-range reconnaissance patrol was trapped near Duc Co, surrounded by a large hostile force and only moments from being overrun. One rescue helicopter had already been shot down. Still, Captain James P. Fleming — then a young First Lieutenant — chose to fly into the kill zone.

He brought his UH-1F Huey down onto a narrow riverbank, balancing the skids with the tail boom hanging over open water while enemy fire raked the aircraft. The trapped team couldn’t reach him; the landing zone was too exposed. Low on fuel and under heavy attack, Fleming pulled away — only to turn back again.

With complete disregard for his own survival, he repeated the maneuver, holding his helicopter in an impossibly vulnerable position as enemy rounds shattered his windscreen. The Special Forces team sprinted through fire and leapt aboard. Fleming lifted off through a storm of gunfire and flew them all to safety.

His courage under fire, refusal to abandon the team, and flawless airmanship saved six American lives that day.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Fleming (then 1st Lt.) distinguished himself as the Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F transport helicopter. Capt. Fleming went to the aid of a 6-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 1 helicopter had been downed by intense hostile fire, Capt. Fleming descended, and balanced his helicopter on a river bank with the 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, Capt. Fleming repeated his original landing maneuver. Disregarding his own safety, he remained in this exposed position. Hostile fire crashed through his windscreen as the patrol boarded his helicopter. Capt. Fleming made a successful takeoff through a barrage of hostile fire and recovered safely at a forward base. Capt. Fleming’s profound concern for his fellowmen, 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.