The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal James Edward Rosser (MCSN: 2204333), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 6 April 1968, Lance Corporal Rosser’s squad was conducting a patrol as security for a mine clearing operation. As the Marines moved through an area known to have been booby-trapped, the squad leader inadvertently activated an M-26 fragmentation grenade emplaced as an antipersonnel mine. Aware that only seconds remained before the grenade would explode, Lance Corporal Rosser unhesitatingly ran fifteen meters to the grenade, picked it up and threw it away from his companions, simultaneously knocking the squad leader to the ground for protection. As a result of his prompt and heroic actions, the grenade exploded harmlessly. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Lance Corporal Rosser upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.