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 Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] James Amis Dickens, United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force. Captain Dickens distinguished himself on 27 September 1967 while serving as Platoon Leader of the 3d Platoon, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 23d Infantry Division (Americal), in action near Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Dickens received the mission to help extract two platoons of infantry who were pinned down some 1000 meters away. In just seven minutes Captain Dickens had led two other assault vehicles directly in front of the infantry position in order to shield them from enemy fire. He then fearlessly dismounted and, with the assistance of his platoon aidman, helped 16 soldiers aboard the vehicles without further casualties being suffered. Upon his return to his original position, Captain Dickens received the mission to move his entire platoon to suppress automatic weapons fire on the eastern flank of the troop. With instant response and daring leadership he maneuvered his seven armored vehicles across 1500 meters of rice paddies directly into the enemyÕs intense fire in order to relieve the pressure. During the action, Captain Dickens’ vehicle came under a grenade assault in which he and one of his machinegunners were wounded. With complete disregard for his own wound, he assumed his stricken gunner’s position and personally killed the enemy grenadier. On the morning of 28 September, Captain Dickens began maneuvering his platoon in pursuit of the now withdrawing enemy. His element began receiving heavy sniper fire from the flank and one of his men was wounded by a bursting grenade. Without his medic, who had been evacuated the day before, Captain Dickens, disregarding his own safety, dismounted his track in the bullet swept area and ran across a rice paddy to treat the injured man. After administering first aid he directed the evacuation of the casualty and remounted to continue his mission. As he assumed the lead of his platoon in the ensuing battle, he was wounded a second time by an enemy bullet and was evacuated. Captain Dickens displayed outstanding leadership and bravery throughout the entire period of combat. This courage inspired his men, and his valor led them to execute their mission with complete success. Captain Dickens’ outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.