The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James C. Riley (MCSN: 2278227), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman in the First Platoon, Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1/3, during Operation BEAVER CAGE, in Tinh Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 10 May 1967. Private First Class Riley’s squad was providing flank security for his platoon during a company search and destroy operation when heavy contact was made with two companies of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese regular forces. Though his squad received heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire, sustaining several casualties, Private First Class Riley immediately braved the intense fire to place effective fire on the enemy. He then fearlessly joined his Platoon Sergeant in a heroic assault directly into the entrenched enemy position. His courageous actions allowed his platoon much needed time to deploy to face the enemy and extricate its casualties. Mortally wounded during this action, Private First Class Riley, by his aggressiveness and coolness under fire undoubtedly saved the lives of many Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.