In the name of the President of the United States the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific,  takes pleasure  in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

          STAFF SERGEANT JAMES J. LITTLE

   

              UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in acting against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company E, Battalion Landing Team, Second Battalion, First Marines on 16 December 1965. Having assumed command of his platoon due to the evacuation of the platoon commander, Staff Sergeant LITTLE was leading his men on a search and destroy mission when he was ordered to sweep an adjacent hill to support another platoon which had been ambushed. With skillful tactical maneuver and inspiring leadership, he suceeded in clearing a Viet Cong ambush position, killing four enemy guerrillas, wounding one and capturing their weapons and equipment. Proceeding on the original mission, his platoon effectivley destroyed several Viet Cong training barracks and large caches of rice. Later in the day, Staff Sergeant LITTLE exhibited exceptional fortitude and determination in attacking guerrilla forces that had inflicted heavy casualties on an advancing Marine unit. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly guided his platoon across a bridge and fifty meters of exposed trail. His aggressive action and skillfully directed fire took the enemy by surprise, inflicted heavy damage and forced the Viet Cong to withdraw. His effective actions throughout the day dealt severe blows to the enemy, with minimal Marine casualties, and were instrumental in the successful accomplishment of Operation Harvest Moon. By his superior professional skill, dynamic leadership and exceptional devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Staff Sergeant LITTLE upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."        

FOR THE PRESIDENT,

A. R. KIER

MAJOR GENERAL U.S. MARINE CORPS

ACTING COMMANDING GENERAL

United States Marine Corps 

Headquarters Fleet Marine Corps, Pacific

FPO, San Francisco 96601

Echo 2/1, 1965 - 1966