The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Boatswain’s Mate Third Class James Thomas Born (NSN: 6888459), United States Navy, for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Assistant Boat Captain with Mobile Support Team II, on a Heavy SEAL Support Craft (HSSC), operating in the Mekong Delta Region of the Republic of South Vietnam, on 13 March 1967. Petty Officer Born and his unit were engaged in armed conflict with 250 Viet Cong communist aggressors who had penetrated the concertina wire and breached the walls of a South Vietnamese Army outpost. Exemplifying his skill and bravery using a .50 caliber machine gun and a 81 millimeter mortar, he suppressed the enemy and kept them from capturing his boat as well as the outpost. The actions of Petty Officer Born and his unit, saved the lives of 150 civilians who had barricaded themselves within the walls of the outpost. By his courageous actions, initiative and exceptional dedication to duty, Petty Officer Born reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Petty Officer Born is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)