Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Gunnery Sergeant

    Action Date:

    September 5, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant Lee Roy James (MCSN: 669040), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as military advisor to the Regional Forces and Popular Forces of the Thang Binh District, Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, in military operations against an opposing force on 5 September 1965. While accompanying the 895th Regional Forces Company and various Popular Force elements on a clearing and road repair operation, he voluntarily and unhesitatingly entered a mine-infested area around a partially destroyed bridge to recover and save the life of an unidentified Vietnamese woman, who had been the victim of a mine and had fallen from the bridge into the accumulation of debris below. He then remained in the area the rest of the morning and gave advice and other aid in restoring the road to normal operation despite the presence of undetected mines. In the afternoon he returned to the area with his Vietnamese counterpart in order to organize a better defense for the next night. At that time another mine exploded killing him and his counterpart instantly. By his outstanding demonstration of courage and devotion to duty throughout, Sergeant James reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.