The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel James Harris Grady (AFSN: 2129394), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Crew Co-pilot of an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 5 October 1968. On that date, Colonel Grady volunteered to attempt the extremely hazardous extraction of a Special Forces team after their insertion helicopter had been shot down and the team surrounded by hostile forces. En route to the distress site, he learned that a rescue helicopter had been shot down while attempting the extraction, fatally injuring two crew members. Despite low cloud cover, which prevented the use of fighter escort, Colonel Grady, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, penetrated the hostile area and established a hover adjacent to the burning crash site. In the face of hostile fire, Colonel Grady held a prolonged hover and effected the rescue of the two crash survivors and the six surviving team members. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Grady has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.