The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major James Ernest Gillis (MCSN: 0-58243), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), on 8 October 1965. While serving as the flight leader of two armed UH-1E aircraft Major Gillis had been ambushed and overrun. While supporting this Vietnamese unit Major Gillis twice flew through a hail of enemy small arms fire to rescue a group of four Americans and one Vietnamese who had been cut off and surrounded. The area he landed in was in dangerous proximity to friendly air strikes on Viet Cong positions, and was completely surrounded by Viet Cong. This heroic rescue was accomplished by outstanding airmanship and courage. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Major Gillis upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.