The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain James P. McMenamin, United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as 3d Platoon Commander, Company A, Second Reconnaissance Battalion, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 6 August 2012, Captain McMenamin led his platoon to conduct clearing operations in the Urmuz Cluster, Now Zad, Afghanistan. While clearing west to east, his platoon came under heavy enemy attack in a pitched ambush that destroyed one 7-ton truck and fixed the platoon from advancing forward on their mission. He broke the enemy ambush by leading an assault on the enemy center with a section of his platoon. He then led the final push in this assault on foot into the primary enemy machine gun position. After this, Captain McMenamin rallied his platoon as they were engaged by two more medium machineguns. He personally engaged this enemy threat with his own rifle, while directing his machineguns on target, ultimately killing two enemy insurgents. Upon withdrawing his platoon to a hasty patrol base, his unit came under attack again from every cardinal direction. An initial volley of enemy mortar fire wounded five Marines to include Captain McMenamin. Despite shrapnel to the neck and heavy bleeding, his first action was to attend to the wounded. Captain McMenamin personally organized the medical evacuation and provided escort and covering fire for the stretcher bearers to the medical evacuation platform. He then maneuvered his unit to break the enemy attack. Despite his wounds, Captain McMenamin led his unit for the following eight days of combat operations. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Captain McMenamin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. [Captain McMenamin is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.]