The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Captain [then First Lieutenant] James Alvin Cothran, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while serving at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California on 4 January 1978. Upon hearing shots, Captain Cothran left his office to investigate and was directed to an armed, berserk gunman who had just fatally shot two Marines and seriously wounded three others. With complete disregard for his own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, Captain Cothran unhesitatingly approached the assailant and calmly, deliberately, and effectively persuaded him after several minutes to surrender his loaded weapon. By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk, Captain Cothran prevented further shootings and undoubtedly saved the lives of others; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.