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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class [then Private First Class] James T. Burns (ASN: RA-12765158), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 May 1967, Specialist Fourth Class Burns distinguished himself while serving as a Rifleman in Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, which was conducting a search and destroy mission along the Cambodian border. His platoon had been sent out to scout an area when it encountered heavy enemy fire. The platoon formed a perimeter and fought off the enemy. When the order was given to deploy into a tighter perimeter, Specialist Fourth Class Burns remained in position, firing at the enemy to give his comrades protection until they could from the perimeter. With the maneuver completed, he moved back himself, took up a position and resumed fighting. When one of his fellow soldiers fell wounded nearby, Specialist Fourth Class Burns moved through the intense enemy fire to go to the man’s assistance. He gave the man first aid and remained by him to guard against further harm. Later the machine gun began to run low on ammunition. Specialist Fourth Class Burns secured some ammunition from the wounded ammunition bearer and began crawling toward the machine gun emplacement. He was mortally wounded in his heroic effort. Specialist Fourth Class Burns’ determined aggressiveness, devotion to duty and compassion for his fellow man are consistent with the most cherished tradition of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.