The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jim Aragon Henderson, Jr. (MCSN: 1984516), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 June 1967, during Operation UNIOIN II, Corporal Henderson’s company was advancing across open terrain in the vicinity of Tam Ky in Quang Nam Province when it came under intense automatic weapons and mortar fire from a numerically superior, well-entrenched enemy force. In the ensuing fire fight, when two platoons were temporarily pinned down, his platoon was deployed on the right flank to launch an assault against the enemy. Fearlessly leading his machine gun teams in the attack, Corporal Henderson directed highly effective fire against the enemy’s emplacements. Boldly maneuvering a team fifty meters across an exposed rice paddy, he proceeded across the rice paddy to recover one of the unmanned machine guns. Although two enemy rounds grazed the top of his helmet, he courageously maneuvered 150 meters through the exposed rice paddy until he reached the unmanned machine gun. Quickly placing the gun into position, Corporal Henderson directed a heavy volume of accurate fire into the hostile positions, neutralizing the enemy fire and enabling the Marines to gain more advantageous firing positions, before he was seriously wounded by a heavy burst of enemy fire. His exemplary leadership and bold fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the subsequent defeat of the enemy. By his resolute courage, exceptional initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Corporal Henderson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.