The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James Edward Bell (MCSN: 1083156), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Guide with Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 March 1966, while Company E was engaged in a search and destroy mission in Quang Ngai Province, Sergeant Bell’s platoon suddenly came under heavy automatic weapons fire from insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces firing at close range. Hardest hit was the second squad, which had several casualties including the squad leader and two fire team leaders. Observing this, Sergeant Bell immediately ran, under enemy fire, to the aid of the beleaguered squad, immediately reorganizing it and directing its fire into the Viet Cong positions. When a reinforcing fire team arrived, Sergeant Bell supervised these men in the evacuation of all casualties while repeatedly exposing himself to hostile fire in order to effectively fire M-79 rounds into the insurgent communists’ emplacements. His supply of grenade launcher ammunition exhausted, he hurled hand grenades at the enemy and, seizing the rifle of a fallen comrade, poured fire into the Viet Cong. When ordered to retire, Sergeant Bell directed the withdrawal of his personnel in an orderly manner, without casualties, while he provided covering fire. Only when all others had arrived at their assigned positions did he personally withdraw. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Sergeant Bell upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.