James Phillip Fleming

Returning under enemy fire to rescue a trapped jungle patrol

James Phillip Fleming was born in Sedalia, Missouri, on March 12, 1943. He graduated from Washington State University in 1966 with a degree in police science and administration and received his Air Force commission through ROTC. During pilot training he volunteered for helicopter duty in Vietnam.

As a first lieutenant with the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Fleming flew a UH-1F transport helicopter near Duc Co on November 26, 1968. A six-man Special Forces reconnaissance patrol faced being overrun by a heavily armed enemy force. Although hostile fire had already brought down another helicopter, he balanced his aircraft on a riverbank with its tail over the water. The patrol could not reach the landing site, forcing him to withdraw.

Dangerously low on fuel, Fleming returned and repeated the maneuver. He held his exposed position while enemy bullets smashed through the windscreen and the patrol boarded. He then took off through the gunfire and brought the men safely to a forward base.

President Richard M. Nixon presented Fleming's Medal of Honor at the White House on May 14, 1970. After Vietnam he flew C-141 transports and served in education assignments at the Air Force Academy and Squadron Officer School. His final assignment was directing the ROTC program at Texas Christian University. He retired as a colonel in 1996 after 30 years of Air Force service.

Official 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 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, 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 fellow men, 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.