The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James T. Furman (MCSN: 0-1999793), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as the Senior Advisor/Marine Squad Leader of Combined Action Platoon 1-1-4, III Marine Amphibious Force in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 10 May 1969, Sergeant Furman was leading a patrol toward a suspected Viet Cong stronghold when the friendly unit came under intense fire from a numerically superior hostile force. In the initial moments of the fire fight, Sergeant Furman and three of his men were wounded by a command detonated enemy antipersonnel mine. Steadfastly refusing medical evacuation, Sergeant Furman directed his men into advantageous fighting positions from which to deliver suppressive fire upon the hostile force. Despite the fact that his men were pinned down by a heavy volume of enemy fire, his inspiring leadership and tactical ability enabled his patrol members to gain fire superiority over the hostile unit without sustaining any additional casualties and forced the enemy to retreat. When the medical evacuation helicopter arrived, Sergeant Furman refused evacuation or treatment until the other three wounded men were cared for. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his patrol successfully repelling the hostile force. By his courage, resolute determination and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant Furman upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.