James Condon was born on April 8, 1934, in Dayton, Ohio. He enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard on September 21, 1952, and received an honorable discharge on December 7, 1953. Condon then enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force for Navigator training on October 5, 1954, graduating with a commission as a 2nd Lt at Ellington AFB, Texas, on December 14, 1955. After completing B-47 Stratojet Combat Crew Training he served as a Navigator Bombardier with the 66th Bomb Squadron at Lake Charles AFB (later redesignated Chennault AFB), Louisiana, from June 1956 to March 1960, and then with the 506th Bomb Squadron, also at Chennault AFB, from March to June 1960. Capt Condon next completed B-52 Stratofortress Combat Crew Training before serving with the 336th Bomb Squadron (later redesignated the 824th Bomb Squadron) at Turner AFB, Georgia, from October 1960 to February 1967. His next assignment was as a B-52 Radar-Navigator with the 524th Bomb Squadron at Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, from February 1967 to November 1968, followed by service on the staff of the 379th Bomb Wing at Wurtsmith from November 1968 to March 1970. Maj Condon deployed to Southeast Asia in March 1970, and flew combat missions with the 4258th Strategic Wing (later redesignated the 307th Strategic Wing) at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, from March 1970 to April 1971. He served with the 486th and then the 2nd Bomb Squadron at March AFB, California, from April 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War while deployed to Southeast Asia on December 28, 1972. After spending 92 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. Col Condon was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, and then served on the staff of 15th Air Force at March AFB from July 1973 until his retirement from the Air Force on May 1, 1978. Jim Condon died on May 30, 2013, and was buried at St. Valbert Cemetery in Versailles, Ohio.

His Distinguished Flying Cross w/Valor Citation reads:

Major James C. Condon distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as a B-52 Radar Navigator near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 28 December 1972. On that date, Major Condon's professional skill, devotion to duty, and personal courage in the face of grave personal danger were key factors in the successful delivery of his ordnance on the assigned target. Despite intensive hostile reaction, Major Condon was able to complete the assigned target strike. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Condon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.