The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Jesse Joyce (ASN: RA-14792035), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 March 1968, Staff Sergeant Joyce was serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company C, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, on a mission to investigate an enemy bunker complex that had been discovered by an ambush patrol the previous evening. After setting up a patrol base, he led his platoon in a reconnaissance sweep of the area. A lone Viet Cong was encountered and wounded. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Staff Sergeant Joyce set out in pursuit of the fleeing insurgent. He had moved a short distance when he began to receive heavy fire from a Viet Cong bunker line. Ignoring the intensive hostile fire, Staff Sergeant Joyce immediately charged one bunker and destroyed it with a well-place hand grenade. He then assaulted another bunker from which heavy fire was emanating, but this time his hand grenade was returned and he was wounded himself. Despite his painful wound, Staff Sergeant Joyce managed to crawl back to the friendly lines and rejoin his men. As a result of his courageous actions, the enemy positions were promptly and accurately located, and numerous friendly lives were saved. Staff Sergeant Joyce’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.