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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) James Michael Gribbin, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Detachment B-20, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Gribbin distinguished himself while serving as Commander of a Vietnamese mobile strike force battalion during a search and clear mission in Kontum Province. After initial contact with a numerically superior enemy at a friendly ambush site, Captain Gribbin led a reaction force in a counterassault. Seeing one of his men lying badly wounded, Captain Gribbin rushed to his assistance. While pulling the man to cover, Captain Gribbin was wounded in the arm by enemy automatic weapons fire. Refusing medical attention, he returned to the conflict area to aid another wounded soldier and was wounded a second time in the upper thigh. Captain Gribbin still refused medical attention and continued to expose himself to enemy fire while commanding the pursuit of the fleeing enemy. After collapsing because of his wounds, Captain Gribbin was brought to rear medical facilities where he died. Captain Gribbin’s gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.