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 Specialist Fifth Class James G. Perlmutter (ASN: US-51613191), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 February 1968, Specialist Perlmutter was serving as the Senior Medical Aidman with a mechanized infantry platoon, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, on a mission to secure a convoy moving on Highway 13 between Di An and Ben Cat. As the convoy was nearing the abandoned village of Cau Dinh, it was suddenly subjected to intensive automatic weapons, machinegun, and rocket fire from a reinforced North Vietnamese heavy weapons company which was entrenched in the village. Several casualties were sustained by the friendly forces during the initial enemy contact. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Specialist Perlmutter exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved from one casualty to another, treating the men and supervising their evacuation. For the first five hours of the battle, he supervised the transportation of casualties to the landing zone. When reinforcements arrived, the friendly forces assaulted the enemy’s fortified positions and two armored personnel carriers became disabled by hostile fire. Specialist Perlmutter moved his vehicle through the hail of hostile rounds to the two inoperative vehicles, and then carried several wounded personnel to a relatively protected position. While treating the wounded, he frequently fired at the insurgents in order to protect the casualties. Specialist Perlmutter moved to within 50 meters of the hostile positions and accounted for several of the 84 enemy killed during the encounter. His courageous perseverance, professional skill, and selfless determination to aid his comrades were responsible for saving several American lives. Specialist Fifth Class Perlmutter’s unquestionable valor while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an insurgent force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.