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 Sergeant James L. Hume (ASN: RA-16280398), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 9 May 1968 while serving as First Sergeant of Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date the fire support base which Sergeant Hume’s troop was defending came under an intense mortar and ground attack by Viet Cong forces. As the ground attack increased in intensity First Sergeant Hume realized that his portion of the perimeter was receiving the heaviest concentration of the attack and that it would be at least 30 minutes before friendly forces would arrive. L With complete disregard for his personal safety First Sergeant Hume, in the face of fierce small arms, automatic weapons and RPG rocket fire dashed to the armored cavalry assault vehicles on the perimeter in order to assist in pin pointing targets and aid in the treatment of the wounded. During the entire fire fight First Sergeant Hume moved from vehicle to vehicle caring for the wounded, redistributing ammunition, offering words of encouragement and pointing out targets. Several times First Sergeant Hume stopped to engage the enemy, personally accounting for killing eight of the insurgents during the action. First Sergeant Hume continued to expose himself to the enemy fire until reinforcements arrived on the battlefield to aid in repulsing the attack. When finally the perimeter was relatively secured, First Sergeant Hume rapidly organized the medical evacuation of the wounded from his unit and the attached infantry unit. First Sergeant Hume’s courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.