The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal James Allen Dodson (MCSN: 2235324), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Senior Advisor/Marine Platoon Leader of Combined Action Platoon 2-3-2, III Marine Amphibious Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 March 1969, Corporal Dodson’s platoon was occupying a night defensive position in the Dien Ban District of Quang Nam Province when he observed six North Vietnamese Army soldiers approaching his unit’s emplacement. Reacting instantly, Corporal Dodson fired upon the hostile group and killed three of the enemy as the remaining three disappeared into the thick underbrush. While his men were searching the area for additional North Vietnamese Army soldiers, he spotted one of the enemy preparing to throw a grenade in the direction of a Marine and,, with complete disregard for his own safety, leaped between his companion and the lethal object and shoved his comrade out of the dangerous area. Although wounded by the detonation of the grenade, he quickly engaged the hostile soldier and killed him. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the death of six hostile soldiers and the capture of numerous items of equipment and weaponry, in addition to the capture of one enemy soldier. Corporal Dodson’s courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.