The
President
of the United States takes pleasure presenting the
SILVER STAR MEDAL to
Private First Class James S. Lockhart
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as
Amphibious
Tractor Driver, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing
Team
2/4, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with
operations
against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the assault on the
heavily fortified and well defended village of Mai Xa Chanh on 2 and 3
March 1968, The amphibious tractor he was driving came under heavy
enemy
fire seriously wounding the crew chief. He continued forward onto his
objective
as the enemy fire intensified. As he lowered the ramp to enamble the
assault
troops to disembark, the enemy poured fore into and around the vehicle,
wounding a number of Marines including Private First Class Lockhart.
After
all of the able bodied Marines had moved from the amphibious tractor to
assault the enemy's positions, he attempted to raise the ramp and
evacuate
the wounded, however, a badly wounded Marine lay half off and half on
the
ramp. Despite his own wound and at great risk to his own life, Private
First Class Lockahrt crawled forward to the wounded Marine and dragged
him into the vehicla. While moving the wounded Marine into the
amphibious
tractor, Private First Class Lockhart Lockhart was wounded again by
shapnel
and ricocheting bullets. Ignoring his own wounds, he raised the ramp
and
drove the amphibious tractor to a place of relative safety. Although he
was one of the most seriously wounded Marines, he refused treatment
until
all of the other Marines were removed from the vehicle and treated. By
his extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme dangers, unrelenting
perseverance,
and steadfast devotion to duty, Private First Class Lockhart reflected
great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine
Corps and the United States Naval Service."
Secretary of the Navy
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