The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James K. Murphy (MCSN: 0-104702), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company L, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 March 1969, First Lieutenant Murphy’s platoon was providing security from commanding terrain overlooking a landing zone at which the Third Battalion was awaiting extraction to the Vandegrift Combat Base when the unit came under a vicious ground and mortar attack from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Aware of the importance of denying the vital terrain to the enemy, First Lieutenant Murphy completely disregarded his own safety as he moved from one squad to another to ascertain the welfare of his men, pinpoint targets for their suppressive fire and ensure that all possible avenues of hostile approach were adequately covered by firepower. Although stunned by the tenaciousness of the Marine defense, the enemy continued its attack against the platoon and additionally commenced delivering mortar fire on the landing zone as well as automatic weapons fire at approaching extraction helicopters. Realizing the need for immediate action to prevent loss of Marine lives and damage to the aircraft, First Lieutenant Murphy unhesitatingly moved to the forward slope of the hill and, heedless of the hostile rounds impacting all around him, skillfully adjusted supporting artillery fire on North Vietnamese Army mortar emplacements, effectively silencing most of the hostile fire. After the battalion was extracted, the platoon started to deploy to the landing zone for its embarkation but the remaining enemy mortars increased the intensity of their fire and First Lieutenant Murphy, again valiantly moving to a dangerously exposed vantage point, adjusted the bombing and strafing runs of friendly aircraft now on station which destroyed the sources of hostile fire and enabled his men to be extracted in safety. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in permitting the extraction mission to be accomplished with a minimum of Marine casualties. By his courage, superb leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Murphy upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.