The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant James W. Martin, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Martin distinguished himself on 22 September 1969, while serving as leader of a Vietnamese reconnaissance team during operations deep in enemy-controlled territory. Sergeant Martin was leading his men along a narrow jungle trail when his rear elements were suddenly attacked by an enemy force. After quickly directing his men to defensive positions, Sergeant Martin crawled under heavy suppressive fire within a short distance of the hostile troops and hurled two grenades on them with devastating accuracy. Before the stunned enemy had regrouped, he rushed back to his team and enlisted another soldier to assist him in an attempt to infiltrate the enemy’s ranks and capture one of their number. The enemy, however, managed to re-group and thwarted two such tries by Sergeant Martin with intense small arms fire. Seeing that the enemy troops were now maneuvering to encircle his team. Sergeant Martin returned to his men and led them to a position where they could better defend themselves against assault. The enemy attack came almost immediately, with three squads of hostile troops rushing the team’s flank. Sergeant Martin single-handedly halted the onrush by running out into the open and delivering automatic rifle fire on the attackers. Several times during the enemy assault, Sergeant Martin moved into the open in order to cut down the advancing enemy with direct and accurate fire. Staff Sergeant Martin’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.