The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major James Michael Tully (MCSN: 0-78737), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the Republic of Vietnam during the night of 20 – 21 June 1972. Major Tully was serving as Senior Advisor to the 6th Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion which was conducting an assault against the enemy forces in Quang Tri Province. On the night of 20 June 1972, the battalion’s defensive positions were assaulted by a numerically superior enemy force supported by artillery and tanks. Forty enemy sappers successfully penetrated the command post and the intensity of the initial assault caused the command group to become fragmented separating Major Tully and members of a U.S. Naval Gunfire Spot Team from the battalion commander and the rest of the command group. Quickly assessing the seriousness of the situation and with selfless disregard for his own safety he led the team across fire-swept terrain until he finally joined forces with his Vietnamese counterpart. He calmly advised and assisted his Vietnamese counterpart in formulating a plan of supporting arms which could be brought to bear on the enemy. After imparting his advice he left the comparative safety of his position and again crossed fire-swept terrain and occupied the highest vantage point in the area. He steadfastly remained in this exposed position, subjected to intense small arms and mortar fire, for the next eight hours. In addition to simultaneously employing tactical aircraft and naval gunfire, he continued to assist his counterpart in rallying the command post group personnel and organizing a tank-infantry counter-attack force that successfully expelled the enemy from the penetrated position. Major Tully’s courage under fire, exemplary professionalism and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.