The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James S. Brown, Jr. (MCSN: 0-94575), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Battery C, First Battalion, Twelfth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 11 June 1968, Battery C was occupying a defensive position near Khe Sanh when the Marines suddenly came under a heavy volume of mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire supporting an aggressive assault by a large North Vietnamese Army force. Upon learning that a portion of his perimeter had been penetrated, First Lieutenant Brown unhesitatingly left his position of relative safety, he fearlessly led his men across the fire-swept terrain toward the advancing enemy. Ignoring the exploding hostile satchel charges which on several occasions knocked him to the ground, he resolutely continued to lead his men in a determined counterattack, forcing the North Vietnamese unit from his position. Although painfully wounded, First Lieutenant Brown steadfastly refused medical attention and immediately moved to a dangerously exposed position from which he directed devastating howitzer fire upon the retreating enemy. His timely actions and aggressive fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for twenty-eight North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, superior leadership and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, First Lieutenant Brown upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.