The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant James Robert Mullen (MCSN: 0-101326), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 November 1967, during Operation FOSTER, a squad size patrol from Company I was ambushed by a large, well entrenched enemy force. In the initial moments of the fire fight, the Marines sustained numerous casualties, many of whom lay in an area dangerously exposed to the hostile fire. While two platoons were attempting to reinforce the besieged unit, they came under intense enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire and were pinned down. After organizing a relief force, Second Lieutenant Mullen unhesitatingly advanced forward to a position where contact with the enemy was heaviest and skillfully deployed his men, establishing a base of fire. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly maneuvered across the barren, fire-swept terrain and assisted a seriously wounded Marine to a position of relative safety. Repeatedly exposing himself to the heavy volume of enemy fire, he assisted several other casualties to the Marine lines and, on one occasion, courageously moved to within forty meters of the enemy positions and carried the mortally wounded squad leader back to friendly lines. His heroic actions and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades were an inspiration to all who observed him and undoubtedly saved the lives of several Marines. By his courage, bold initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Second Lieutenant Mullen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.