The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James L. Stickel (MCSN: 2013516), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader with Company D, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 2 April 1966, Sergeant Stickel volunteered to lead a patrol into an open rice paddy area near DaNang to search for Marines who had become casualties in the day’s heavy action. Stealthily moving across the moonlit paddy, Sergeant Stickel skillfully maneuvered his men to within fifty meters of a heavily fortified treeline before they were observed and subjected to heavy mortar fire. Ordering the patrol to the relative safety of a rice paddy dike, he courageously moved forward alone, crawling to within twenty meters of the Viet Cong lines. After locating and carrying the body of one of the Marines back to his patrol’s position, he fully exposed himself to the enemy fire to make two more trips forward to search for the missing Marines. He was returning to his position with the body of another casualty when intense hostile fire prevented further movement. Swiftly organizing the patrol, he directed the withdrawal to friendly lines, gallantly covering his men’s movement until all had reached a position of safety. By his demonstrated courage in the face of enemy fire, bold initiative and unfaltering dedication to duty throughout, Sergeant Stickel upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.