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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) James Daniel Harmon, Jr. (ASN: OF-104773), United States Army, for gallantry in action. First Lieutenant Harmon distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19 November 1966, while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company A, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during a search and destroy mission near Bong Son, Republic of Vietnam. When two Viet Cong soldiers were spotted running up a ravine with an automatic weapon, First Lieutenant Harmon immediately sent two of his squads in pursuit of the fleeing enemy soldiers. The squads had moved had moved only a short distance when they were taken under intense automatic weapons fire from well camouflaged and heavily fortified enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Harmon moved under the intense hostile fire to a position from where he could make a better estimate of the situation. After determining that he was facing a numerically superior enemy force, he ordered his platoon to form into defensive positions from which he sent probing forces to locate the enemy bunkers. Once the positions were discovered, First Lieutenant Harmon called in aerial rocket artillery to keep the hostile force pinned down until reinforcements could arrive. During the conduct of the air strikes, First Lieutenant Harmon left his position and began moving through the area, checking the wounded personnel and distributing ammunition. Each time he changed positions, enemy snipers would direct their fire at hm. Undaunted by the dismal outlook, he rallied his platoon and organized the men into a night defense. Throughout the night, he directed mortar and artillery fire to insure that the two estimated North Vietnamese companies would not overrun his position. First Lieutenant Harmon’s valorous action and inspiring battlefield leadership set an outstanding example and instilled confidence in his men. His conspicuous gallantry stands in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.