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 Billy Charles Jones (ASN: US-54383707), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 21 January 1967, while serving with Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate), in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, his platoon had made contact with a hostile force and came under heavy fire. During the battle, one United States soldier was mortally wounded. Without regard for his own life and in the face of heavy fire, Specialist Jones moved forward to recover the body of his fallen comrade. After the battle had subsided and while his unit was redeploying, Specialist Jones carried the American soldier’s body for two hours through thick jungle growth and hazardously muddy swamp. Upon reaching a helicopter landing zone, his unit again came under heavy enemy fire and in the ensuing fight, another American Soldier was wounded. Observing the position of the wounded man, Specialist Jones without hesitation, left his position and rushed forward to give assistance. On his hands and knees, fearlessly facing the enemy fire, he pulled the wounded soldier through deep mud back to the evacuation zone. As Specialist Jones raised the injured soldier into the helicopter, he was struck by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded. Specialist Fourth Class Jones’ unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.