The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal James Ray Mullins (MCSN: 2128488), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 29 May 1968, while participating in Operation ALLEN BROOK in Quang Nam Province, Company B came under intense mortar and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force entrenched in a tree line. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Lance Corporal Mullins unhesitatingly maneuvered his fire team across 300 meters of rice paddy to a position where they assaulted an enemy mortar emplacement, capturing numerous mortar rounds and two automatic rifles. When the unit again came under North Vietnamese fire and a hand grenade attack, he fearlessly moved forward, directing fire at the hostile force and throwing hand grenades which effectively silenced the fire from a fortified bunker. Observing a wounded Corpsman lying in a position dangerously exposed to sniper fire from a nearby emplacement, Lance Corporal Mullins unhesitatingly rushed across the fire-swept terrain in an attempt to aid his injured comrade and was mortally wounded. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty at the risk of his own life, Lance Corporal Mullins inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.