The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Medical Corps) James W. Ralph, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 June 1964, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, friendly forces were engaged in one of the most vicious battles of the year when the helicopter ambulance in which Captain Ralph was Flight Surgeon arrived to evacuate the wounded. Because of the immediate proximity of the enemy and the intensity of the fighting, the aeromedical evacuation staff was unable to treat and sort the casualties and establish a central, secure pickup point. Captain Ralph left the aircraft and went unarmed into the midst of the fighting in search of casualties. He treated, sorted, and carried the wounded from the corners of the battlefield back to the helicopter. Captain Ralph continued his exhausting work under intensive fire throughout the day and well into the night. Despite the fact that the helicopter ambulance was twice damaged by intensive ground fire, one pilot was wounded, and he himself was often the target of enemy fire, Captain Ralph continued to sort, treat, and carry casualties until not one known soldier remained on the battlefield. Captain Ralph’s outstanding display of valor in these extreme conditions, while under intensive enemy fire, brought great credit on himself, the Army Medical Corps, and the United States Army, and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.