The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class James Jackson Sherrill (ASN: RA-14583660), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Advisory Team 64, U.S. Army Advisory Group, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Sherrill distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 while serving as advisor to a Vietnamese Regional Force unit on a combat mission near Chau Doc. When Viet Cong elements invaded the city as part of their Lunar New Year offensive, Sergeant Sherrill immediately led four platoons in an attempt to drive the enemy out. The road to the town was blocked by a hostile force firing small arms, machine guns and grenades. Sergeant Sherrill quickly deployed his men for an assault through the Viet Cong lines. He then mounted his jeep and manned the machine gun in support of their advance on the enemy. A fellow soldier maneuvered to knock out an enemy machine gun with a recoilless rifle, but was pinned down by ravaging fire from the position. Sergeant Sherrill fully exposed himself to the insurgents’ weapons and delivered devastating fire on the hostile emplacement to allow the man to move forward and destroy it. His troops’ furious attack forced the Viet Cong to slowly pull back, and he tenaciously maintained pressure on the determined enemy. As he drove forward in the jeep, it was raked by automatic weapons and grenade fire. Severely wounded, he took cover behind the vehicle and returned fire with his rifle. Completely disregarding his welfare, he fought on until his ammunition was expended. Defenseless, he fearlessly remained in his tenuous position until he succumbed to his wounds. His courageous leadership inspired his men to continue their assault, and to defeat the enemy forces. Sergeant First Class Sherrill’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.