More detail on this person: Murdered - shot 47 times with an Uzi. James E. Cary was born in Richmond Virginia on June 26, 1946. Jim was the only son and oldest of two children born to James and Laura Cary. His father was a career officer and veteran aviator of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, who retired as a Colonel from the Air Force in 1966. Jim graduated from Pensacola High School, Pensacola, Florida in 1965. Following high school he attended Pensacola Junior College. After about two years of college Jim joined the Army on March 9, 1967. After completion of basic training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, Jim requested and received orders for Ft. Wolters, Texas to begin primary helicopter training on May 29, 1967. Jim was a member of WORWAC class 67-25 and completed the advance phase of his training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama on April 8, 1968. Warrant Officer Jim Cary, after a month of leave, arrived in the Republic of Vietnam on May 6, 1968 and was assigned to the 281st AHC and eventually became a highly trained and skilled pilot with the 1st platoon, Rat Pack. On November 5, 1968 in support of Delta Project, Jim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic actions that day. Warrant Officer Cary distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of a UH-1H helicopter during the extraction of a Special Forces reconnaissance patrol team in contact with enemy forces west of Da Nang. The primary pickup ship attempted to reach the landing zone, but was forced to abort because of highly accurate enemy fire. Tactical air strikes were then called in to suppress the enemy fire. Upon completion of the air strikes, Warrant Officer Cary spotted the team in a small opening between two ridgelines, descended to tree top level, and initiated a high speed, low-level approach towards the team. As he maneuvered, intensive enemy fire was directed at his ship. Despite hostile fire, dense vegetation, and poor visibility, he skillfully brought the aircraft to low hover over a pile of rocks, thereby enabling the team to safely board the aircraft. Warrant Officer Cary's courage and sound judgment were the decisive factors in the success of the mission. His actions ere in keeping with highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Jim completed his Vietnam tour on April 28, 1969 and was reassigned to Fort Wolters, Texas as a tac officer at the primary helicopter school. On December 10, 1969, Jim accepted a direct appointment to First Lieutenant, Field Artillery. In early 1971 Jim completed the field artillery basic course and while in route to Vietnam, completed the cobra transition course. Jim's second tour was from July 6, 1971 to July 7, 1972 with two units, B/4-77 ARA, 101st Aviation Battalion and the 334th Aerial Weapons Company (Sabers).When Jim returned to the states he was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky with the 7th Squadron, 1st Cav. In 1973 the Army began a reduction in forces and Jim was honorable discharged and released to the Army Reserve on September 16, 1973. After discharge. Jim went into the automobile business in the Fort Knox area and it wasn't until 1981 when Jim became friends with some National Guard pilots that he decided to join the Kentucky Army National Guard. At that time I was the company commander of the UH-1 lift company and was more than happy to have another 281st pilot in the unit. Coming from the 281st there was never any doubt about his flying skills.
This information was last updated 06/18/2025
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Date posted on this site: 07/12/2025
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