The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant James Monroe Rushing (MCSN: 0-104763), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 16 December 1968, Second Lieutenant Rushing’s platoon was occupying an ambush position in Quang Nam Province when the Marines observed the point man of a North Vietnamese Army force enter their killing zone. To ensure that the main body of the enemy unit entered the zone, Second Lieutenant Rushing allowed the lead North Vietnamese Army force enter their killing zone. To ensure that the main body of the enemy unit entered the zone, Second Lieutenant Rushing allowed the lead North Vietnamese element to approach dangerously close to his concealed position before initiating the ambush, which was successful in killing eight hostile soldiers. Immediately, the platoon received a heavy volume of small arms fire and hand grenades from a larger enemy force with a concentration of fire on the Marines right flank unit. Rapidly assessing the situation, Second Lieutenant Rushing fearlessly left his position and rallying a squad, boldly led his men to reinforce the beleaguered right flank element. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, he unhesitatingly fired upon the North Vietnamese attackers until he was mortally wounded by a burst of a hostile automatic weapons fire. His daring initiative and heroic efforts inspired all who served with him and contributed significantly to the ultimate defeat of a numerically superior enemy unit. By his courage, aggressive leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Rushing upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life to the service of his country.