SILVER STAR MEDAL to SECOND LIEUTENANT JAMES M. MESSER UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: FOR THE
PRESIDENT H. W. BUSE,
JR. LIEUTENANT
GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING
GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
the
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon
Commander with Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine
Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of
Vietnam. On the evening of 13 September 1969, Second Lieutenant Messer’s
platoon was the point element for Company L when the Marines came under
intense fire from a reinforced squad of North Vietnamese Army soldiers
concealed in well-fortified bunkers located on high ground to the Marines’
front. The initial burst of automatic weapons fire, which killed the
company executive officer and painfully wounded Second Lieutenant Messer
was immediately followed by numerous concussion grenades which kept the
platoon pinned down and unable to return fire. On two separate occasions,
Second Lieutenant Messer attempted to rise and assess the situation and was
knocked down by the concussion of the exploding grenades. Immediately
following the grenades, the enemy began firing 82mm mortar rounds on the
company, severely wounding the company commander. Fearlessly disregarding
the enemy fire, Second Lieutenant Messer assumed command of the company,
organized an assault force, and courageously attacked the enemy position
atop the hill. Shouting encouragement to his men and firing at the enemy he
led the assault, he inspired his men and succeeded in routing the enemy
form their position. After ensuring the consolidation of the objective, he
organized and directed the evacuation of the wounded, and refusing
evacuation himself, directed continuous air support throughout the
remainder of the night, denying the enemy the opportunity to launch a
counterattack. By his heroic imitative, aggressive leadership, and
unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Second Lieutenant
Messer upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United
States Naval Service.
