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 Specialist Fifth Class Julius William Morris, Jr. (ASN: RA-18684580), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fifth Class Morris distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 January 1968, while serving as a Helicopter Repairman with Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at the base camp at Lai Khe, Vietnam. Specialist Morris was sitting in a jeep outside and officers’ open mess waiting for his passenger when the Viet Cong launched a mortar and rocket attack on the immediate area. Seeing a man blown clear of the building by the initial impact of explosive projectiles, Specialist Morris immediately rushed to his aid and pulled the man to the relative safety of some nearby sandbags. Determining that the officer was only stunned, and insuring that medical aidmen would soon be arriving, Specialist Morris then dashed into the flaming wreckage of the demolished building under continued enemy fire to rescue the many wounded and trapped men inside. As he began to remove one of the first casualties, the building crashed about him. Trapped in the fierce flames, Specialist Morris expired in the performance of an outstanding act of mercy. Specialist Fifth Class Morris’ extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.