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 Specialist Fourth Class James Andrew Castleberry (ASN: US-54718702), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Castleberry distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 May 1968 as point man for a road clearing patrol operating near Dalat. As the patrol approached a narrow bridge, the Viet Cong set off a command-detonated anti-personnel mine, wounding Specialist Castleberry, a Vietnamese soldier, and two other United States personnel. Specialist Castleberry, unable to move to a protected position because of his wounds, fired his rifle with such devastating effect that the remainder of the patrol was able to reach cover safely. Although hit twice more by small arms fire, he continued to fire his weapon until he was carried from his exposed position by another member of the patrol. Specialist Fourth Class Castleberry’s gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.