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 Sergeant James Thomas Soper (ASN: 18926643), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Soper distinguished himself on 26 February 1970 while serving as a Squad Leader with the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Quan Loi Province. On that date, Sergeant Soper’s unit came under heavy machine gun fire separating his men and himself from their main element. Upon carrying three of his wounded comrades over 100 meters to safety and medical attention, he then maneuvered through heavy machine gun fire to knock out both machine gun bunkers, killing a total of eleven enemy soldiers and capturing a North Vietnamese Lieutenant. Sergeant Soper’s actions reflect great pride in himself, and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.