The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal James McKinley Boles (MCSN: 2128736), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with the Third Platoon, Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, on 3 and 5 September 1966, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On a search and destroy mission in the vicinity of An Hoa, Lance Corporal Boles’ squad, acting as point unit for the platoon, was moving in a column through a heavily forested area when contact was made with a Viet Cong force and an intense fire fight ensued. Reacting quickly and alertly, disregarding his own personal safety, he moved is squad forward and routed between twenty-five and thirty-five Viet Cong guerrillas. His professional direction of the squad resulted in the death of six of the enemy and the capture of three weapons, including a heavy machine gun. On 5 September, while his squad was providing security for an Ontos, it was taken under heavy automatic weapons fire as it entered an open area. While administering first aid to two wounded Marines, Lance Corporal Boles noticed another seriously wounded Marine under fire from an enemy .50 caliber machine gun. Disregarding the intense fire, he ran to the wounded Marines’ side and administered first aid. By his daring actions, inspiring devotion to duty and loyalty to his companions in the face of grave personal risk, Lance Corporal Boles upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.