The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James M. Horn (MCSN: 0-104465), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 20 April 1969, Company G was occupying a defensive position northeast of Dong Ha Mountain in Quang Tri Province when the perimeter was probed by a North Vietnamese Army squad. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, First Lieutenant Horn immediately adjusted his defenses, directed the emplacement of additional mines, and issued supplementary instructions to his subordinate unit leaders. Early on the following morning, the position came under an intense mortar attack supporting an assault by a North Vietnamese Army company employing automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades. When his radio operator was mortally wounded, First Lieutenant Horn immediately seized the radio and, after regaining contact with his platoons, commenced adjusting artillery and mortar fire upon the enemy soldiers as he simultaneously strengthened the defensive perimeter. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly moved across the fire-swept terrain to the point of heaviest contact and, while directing the fire of his men alertly observed that the enemy was withdrawing to a nearby ravine to reorganize. Reacting instantly, he skillfully adjusted artillery fire onto the retreating hostile soldiers, and when an AC-47 gunship arrived over the area, he directed the aircraft in delivering accurate suppressive fire upon the North Vietnamese Army force. When the enemy launched a second attack, First Lieutenant Horn shouted orders and words of encouragement to his men and, as he again directed their fire, the North Vietnamese unit was repulsed. Realizing the enemy was in a confused retreat, he then adjusted artillery and air support upon all routes of escape and aggressively led a counterattack against the remaining enemy soldiers. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Horn was instrumental in his company’s accounting for forty-two North Vietnamese soldiers killed and three captured and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.