The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospitalman James Richard Loy (NSN: B-506923), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 11 January 1968 while serving as a Medical Corpsman with Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. As a squad-sized patrol from Company F proceeded in total darkness along the safety lane within a minefield while on an ambush mission near Con Thien, the point man inadvertently led the squad into the mined area. Within minutes, two mines were detonated simultaneously, wounding three Marines. Upon hearing the explosions, Hospitalman Loy unhesitatingly moved from the rear of the squad, entered the minefield, and maneuvered to the side of the wounded men to administer first-aid treatment. Realizing that the life of one seriously injured Marine depended on his immediate evacuation to a medical facility, and aware that it would take considerable time to clear a path through the minefield, Hospitalman Loy carefully prepared the injured man for movement and unaided, proceeded to carry his comrade from the hazardous area. Slowly moving across the minefield, Hospitalman Loy had advanced approximately thirty meters when he was mortally wounded by an exploding mine. By his bold imitative, extraordinary courage, and selfless devotion to duty, Hospitalman Loy inspired all who observed him. His heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.