The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James L. Smith (MCSN: 2457759), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company M, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 March 1969, Company M was engaged in a savage battle with a tenacious hostile force for control of high ground near Landing Zone Sierra north of Khe Sanh. As the Marines progressed up the slope during the fierce engagement, Private First Class Smith alertly observed major sources of enemy fire and completely disregarding his own safety, skillfully maneuvered across the fire-swept area toward two enemy bunkers which he quickly destroyed, killing the North Vietnamese soldiers within the emplacements. When the company had overrun the objective and withdrawn to consolidate its position, Private First Class Smith fearlessly remained behind to cover his unit’s deployment and immediately came under a heavy volume of hostile counterfire. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, he ran from one firing position to another in a determined effort to deceive the enemy regarding the number of men occupying the ridge and to prevent them from pinpointing his location. While thus gallantly maneuvering to enable his companions to reorganize for the North Vietnamese counterattack, he was mortally wounded. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit’s subsequent seizure of the objective. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Private First Class Smith upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.