The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) James Warren Kirk (ASN: OF-109750), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Kirk distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 May 1968, while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company C, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a combat mission in the vicinity of Saigon, Vietnam. An armored personnel carrier was struck by a rocket and set afire. Completely disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Kirk ran across an expanse of open ground under heavy fire to the burning track. After providing a heavy volume of covering fire for the evacuation of the wounded, Lieutenant Kirk pulled the last casualty 100 meters to the rear of the disabled vehicle. First Lieutenant Kirk’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.