The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James A. Reeves (MCSN: 2080209), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 March 1966, during Operation INDIANA, Sergeant Reeves’ platoon was maneuvering to assist elements of Company C that were heavily engaged with a large enemy force when the lead elements came under a heavy volume of hostile automatic weapons fire and sustained numerous casualties. Reacting instantly, Sergeant Reeves unhesitatingly left his position of relative safety with the rear squad and maneuvering across the fire-swept terrain, commenced assisting his wounded comrades. While returning to inform his platoon commander of the seriousness of the situation, he helmet was struck by a hostile round, knocking him violently to the ground. Quickly recovering, he resolutely continued to advance until reaching his platoon’s command group. After providing his platoon commander with information concerning the condition of the injured men, he again maneuvered across the hazardous area to the location of the wounded Marines and assisted in moving the casualties to a helicopter landing zone. When the company subsequently came under an intense hostile mortar attack, he fearlessly ignored the enemy rounds impacting near him while embarking the wounded aboard medical evacuation aircraft. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Sergeant Reeves was instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.