The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class James G. Tipton (MCSN: 1217006), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 27 February 1953. Although he was seriously wounded and his automatic rifle was put out of action when his unit contacted a numerically superior enemy force forward of the main line of resistance, Private First Class Tipton quickly secured an abandoned weapon from a nearby wounded comrade and, delivering a deadly hail of accurate and steady fire, forced the enemy to deploy, thereby allowing friendly casualties to be moved to safety. Acting as a covering force during the patrol’s withdrawal, he accounted for at least six enemy dead and submitted to medical treatment only after he was assured that the flank was secure and all other wounded had been treated. By his indomitable fighting spirit, marked fortitude and courageous actions in the face of heavy odds, Private First Class Tipton served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.