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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) James B. Siefert, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Detachment B-16, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Siefert distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 March 1969 while commanding a sweep-and-clear operation five kilometers south of the Special Forces Camp at Tien Phuoc. When Lieutenant Siefert brought his unit to the rescue of an ambushed patrol, the enemy force entrenched on three sides of an open field attacked with mortars, machine guns, rocket grenades, and anti-aircraft weapons. As his unit reached the treeline, they came under intense crossfire, and Lieutenant Siefert directed a systematic pull-back to the cover of a stone wall. During the withdrawal, he exposed himself to provide cover for his troops and was wounded. Sending out a small element to retrieve casualties, he began directing air strikes on the positions. Even as the gun ships delivered devastating volleys on the enemy, Lieutenant Siefert personally led the recovery of a wounded man lying within meters of the enemy. Returning to his unit, he supervised the medical evacuation of casualties and adjusted the air strikes on the treeline. Throughout the night he continued guiding the gun ships, refusing medical treatment himself until the enemy withdrew. First Lieutenant Siefert’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.