James Gore was born on May 3, 1947, in Cut Bank, Montana. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 11, 1967, and completed basic training at NTC San Diego, California, in November 1967. Gore next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training with Class 044 at NAB Coronado, California, from December 1967 to May 1968, followed by service with SEAL Team ONE at NAB Coronado from May 1968 to May 1970. Petty Officer Gore deployed to South Vietnam with his Team in May 1970, and was injured in combat on June 22, 1970. He was killed in the crash of a UH-1 Iroquois in South Vietnam the next day, on June 23, 1970. James Gore was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

His Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

For heroic achievement while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 June 1970, Petty Officer GORE was the automatic weapons man on a combat SEAL patrol attached to United States Navy SEAL Team One, Detachment Golf Platoon, deep in Viet Cong controlled territory. The patrol was attempting to locate a large enemy weapons cache when they were suddenly ambushed by a large enemy force using small arms, automatic weapons and mines. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he laid down a devastating barrage of return fire into the enemy position enabling his patrol to continue their search for the cache. After patrolling fifty yards they were again taken under enemy fire, reacting immediately, Petty Officer GORE attempted to cut the electrical wires leading to an enemy controlled mine, but before the wires could be cut it detonated, wounding both Petty Officer GORE and a Vietnamese guide. Completely disregarding his own personal safety he laid down an intense volume of fire while directing the removal of the injured guide to a covered position. Refusing medical aid, he acted as point man and successfully led the patrol to an extraction site after it was determined that the enemy was attempting to surround the patrol. Although seriously wounded, he refused medical attention until all the other wounded had been treated. Petty Officer GORE's unselfish actions, exemplary professionalism and extreme devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.