The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant James J. Malia, Jr. (ASN: RA-14566875), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Detachment A-132, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Staff Sergeant Malia distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 19 February 1965 while participating in a beach assault at Vung Ro Bay, Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Malia exposed himself to enemy crossfire aboard a Vietnamese landing ship to aid a mortally wounded gunner, an act which greatly inspired the gunners aboard the ship. He then personally led a beach assault off the ship in the face of direct Viet Cong small arms and automatic weapons fire. On the beach, Sergeant Malia exposed himself during a mortar barrage that was inflicting casualties on friendly troops to give advice to the Vietnamese Commander. He acted as the lead man in a patrol when his counterparts refused to do so, and accounted for killing a Viet Cong soldier in action from a range of a few feet; an act which again inspired the Vietnamese soldiers to follow him. As the patrol progressed, Sergeant Malia personally found the largest single cache of arms, ammunitions and medical supplies in the history of the Vietnam war. He then helped to lead a troop assault across an open beach in the face of enemy fire, and secured the historic cache. Sergeant Malia’s gallantry in action against a hostile force greatly contributed to the successful accomplishment of the assigned mission. His heroic and courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.