The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class James Elson Buchanan (ASN: RA-14850547), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 12 September 1968 while serving as a vehicle commander with Troop E, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Buchanan’s troop was given the mission of relieving Company A of the 1st Infantry Division which was held up by an estimated North Vietnamese Battalion. During the move over 2,000 meters of enemy-infested terrain, Specialist Buchanan’s vehicle was under constant hostile automatic weapons and anti-tank fire. Foiling every attempt the enemy made to halt him, Specialist Buchanan, although receiving multiple fragmentation wounds from an exploding anti-tank rocket, continued to press forward until he was wounded by small arms fire. Showing no regard for his own personal safety, Specialist Buchanan then exchanged positions with one of his scout observers and as a medic attended his wounds, he continued to direct highly-accurate suppressive fire into the hostile positions. Although suffering from numerous painful wounds, Specialist Buchanan contributed to the successful accomplishment of his unit’s mission, enabling other elements of his unit to relieve the beleaguered infantry company, thus saving many American lives. Specialist Fourth Class Buchanan’s unwavering devotion to duty, personal courage and disregard of personal safety while under intense hostile fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.