The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class James William Fous (ASN: 56544225), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company E, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 May 1968. Private First Class Fous was participating in a reconnaissance-in-force mission when his unit formed its perimeter defense for the night. Private First Class Fous, together with three other American soldiers, occupied a position in a thickly vegetated area facing a wood line. Private First Class Fous detected three Viet Cong maneuvering toward his position and, after alerting the other men, directed accurate fire upon the enemy soldiers, silencing two of them. The third Viet Cong soldier managed to escape in the thick vegetation after throwing a hand grenade into Private First Class Fous’ position. Without hesitation, Private First Class Fous shouted a warning to his comrades and leaped upon the lethal explosive, absorbing the blast with his body to save the lives of the three men in the area at the sacrifice of his life. Private First Class Fous’ extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.