The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class James A. Machmer (NSN: 9982861), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 April 1968, Petty Officer Machmer was a member of a reconnaissance patrol which had established a roving observation post in Quang Nam Province. When the patrol’s defensive position came under intense enemy mortar attack, killing one Marine and wounding five others, he completely disregarded his own safety to assist the casualties. Advancing under heavy fire, he reached the side of a Marine who was severely wounded in the legs by mortar fragments and immediately moved the injured man to cover. While calmly comforting and encouraging the casualty, he commenced first aid treatment and quickly realized that the man required an immediate blood transfusion. Reaching for his plasma bottle, Petty Officer Machmer found that it had shattered and, determining that his own blood would be compatible with that of his patient, decided to administer a direct transfusion and, with the aid of two companions, completed the life saving treatment in total darkness. When a medical evacuation helicopter arrived and his patient was safely aboard, Petty Officer Machmer began to treat the less seriously wounded Marines and prepare the remaining casualties for evacuation. By his courage, exceptional professionalism and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Petty Officer Machmer undoubtedly saved the life of one Marine and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.