The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James A. May (MCSN: 2090588), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Squad Leader, 2d Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division on 13 April 1968. After a long night movement over difficult terrain, Company B approached its objective with 2d Platoon in the point position. The Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms, mortars, rockets, and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force from three directions, killing Sergeant May’s platoon commander. Reacting instantly and shouting encouragement to his men, he moved from one defensive position to another, directing and controlling suppressive fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant May repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire to move wounded Marines from exposed areas to relative safety of a trench-line. Although wounded, he maintained effective control over his men, enabling them to repulse repeated enemy assaults. Displaying a sincere concern for the welfare of the Marines wounded and selfless disregard for his own comfort, Sergeant May refused medical attention until all of the dead and wounded Marines had been evacuated. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Sergeant May reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.