The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Jim T. Burcham (MCSN: 830896), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 15 June 1944. Forced to wade ashore when his amphibian tractor was struck and totally disabled by enemy artillery fire during landing operations on D-Day, Private First Class Burcham sighted a severely wounded comrade and immediately went to his assistance. Braving the shattering hostile machine-gun and artillery fire, he placed the helpless man on his back and carried him to the beach then, working tirelessly and with calm efficiency, administered first aid to the wounded Marine. By his daring initiative, outstanding fortitude and grave concern for the safety of another at great personal risk, Private First Class Burcham saved the life of a man who otherwise might have perished and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.