- SURNAME
McClam
- FORENAME
James W.
- UNIT
6 SF Group (Company A)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
North Vietnam 1970 (Son Tay)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) James W. McClam, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms, and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. Captain McClam was selected to control the extraction of the raiding force and the released prisoners. While en route to his position, he came under fire from an enemy force. Establishing himself in his assigned sector, he performed as a rifleman until the extraction began. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he stood, fully exposed to enemy fire at the rear of the recovery helicopter, until all forces were accounted for. He was the last member of the force to leave the area. His thoroughness in accounting for raid-force members was a keystone of confidence for all members of the force. His calm and efficient performance of duty while under fire reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24529
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