The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Julius Blanchard Hopkins (MCSN: 1940257), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, on 15 June 1967, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During Operation ARIZONA, the First Platoon of Company E was temporarily halted by intense automatic weapons, rocket and mortar fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. When his platoon was ordered forward to assist the beleaguered unit, Staff Sergeant Hopkins, disregarding his own safety, repeatedly exposed himself to heavy hostile fire to skillfully maneuver his unit across an open area to the ambush site. Arriving at the besieged platoon’s position, Staff Sergeant Hopkins was wounded in the wrist, however, ignoring his painful injury, he steadfastly refused medical aid and continued to direct effective fire on the North Vietnamese Army force, which resulted in heavy enemy casualties. After gaining fire superiority, Staff Sergeant Hopkins ably assisted in evacuating the wounded to positions of relative safety. Later, when the platoon commander of First Platoon was mortally wounded, Staff Sergeant Hopkins immediately assumed command of the unit and effectively deployed his men against the enemy until contact with the North Vietnamese Army force was broken. His outstanding professional ability and bold initiative in the face of extreme danger were an inspiration to all who observed him and were instrumental in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. By his courage, inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Hopkins upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.