The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain James Russell McElroy, Jr. (MCSN: 0-80235/4435425), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 May 1967, during Operation Union, Captain McElroy displayed exceptional professional skill and heroism when he led his 142 man company to relieve a beleaguered unit which had sustained heavy casualties from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. After arriving in the area, the company came under intense fire and in the initial moments of the attack, Captain McElroy was wounded in the shoulder by machine gun fire. Refusing medical aid and ignoring his painful wound, he unhesitatingly supervised the evacuation of the other casualties, skillfully directed effective suppressive fire on the hostile positions and then maneuvered his men into a night defensive position. At midnight, when the units again came under intense mortar fire followed by a ground attack, Captain McElroy, disregarding his own safety and constantly exposing himself to the heavy fire, calmly and aggressively directed reaction forces and supporting arms fire throughout the night until the assault had been repelled. After the attack, he personally supervised the expeditious evacuation of casualties, including a wounded enemy soldier and only after all the other wounded had received aid and had been evacuated and the mission successfully accomplished did he allow treatment of his wounds and subsequent evacuation. During a search on the following morning, over 120 enemy dead were counted and a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other abandoned equipment were seized. His superior leadership and concern for the welfare of his men were an inspiration to all who served with him. By his outstanding professionalism, uncommon courage and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain McElroy upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major James Russell McElroy, Jr. (MCSN: 0-80235/4435425), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Senior Advisor to the Eighth Infantry Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps during Operation LAM SON 720 in the Ashau Valley, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. As Senior Advisor, Major McElroy was responsible for the coordination and control of all U. S. supporting arms. During the period from 12 to 13 May 1971, the Eighth Battalion withstood repeated vicious attacks by a North Vietnamese Army Battalion. Throughout the furious battles, he coolly and accurately controlled all U.S. supporting arms, continuously exposing himself to enemy fire. His outstanding efforts in this regard were highly instrumental in repulsing the continuous enemy attacks. On the morning of 13 May 1971, another fierce attack effectively prevented any medical evacuations from taking place. Without sleep for over 48 hours, he seized his radio and dashed forward to the extreme forward edge of the battle area, securing a bomb crater for partial protective covering. With full knowledge of his hazardous situation and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Major McElroy steadfastly refused to evacuate his precarious location. He remained in the bomb crater for eight consecutive hours, expertly controlling air and artillery strikes against the enemy positions. His outstanding use of supporting arms and sound tactical advice to the Battalion Commander resulted in the battalion overcoming the enemy force. By his daring actions in the face of great personal risk, Major McElroy upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.