The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant John A. Harris (MCSN: 1518077), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company D, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the foothills north of the village of Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam on 23 July 1966. During Operation HASTINGS< the Second Platoon became pinned down by heavy automatic weapons fire, and Staff Sergeant Harris immediately moved forward to the area of heaviest fighting, shouting orders and encouragement to his men. With complete disregard for his own safety, he continued to move about despite the heavy fire and shrapnel, attempting to bring greater fire upon the enemy and organize the evacuation of the wounded. When the last effective machine gunner with the platoon became a casualty, he immediately ran forward and continued to fire the weapon until a replacement gunner was brought forward from another platoon. When two more casualties were sustained and it became apparent that medical aid could not reach them for some time, Staff Sergeant Harris crawled twenty-five yards through heavy fire and shrapnel to the base of a small hill where the wounded lay. He proceeded to pull the most seriously wounded out of the line of fire, at which time he was hit in the head with shrapnel. Determined to perform his mission, he continued to direct and encourage his men despite the serious wound and his precarious position. Even after sustaining another wound, he brought fire to bear upon the enemy until ordered to the rear by his Platoon Commander for medical treatment. By his great courage, presence of mind and devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Harris upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.