The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James W. Sterns (ASN: ER-36919924), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 18 May 1951, near Hangye, Korea. On that date he was attached to a battalion aid station which along with the rest of the battalion was completely surrounded by a numerically superior enemy force. He was ordered to withdraw through an enemy roadblock, under heavy sniper and machine gun fire, when the convoy was stopped due to the lead tank being disabled. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he removed the patients from the litter jeep to a sheltered position and continued firing at the enemy. When the order was given to resume the march, Sergeant Sterns unloaded the patients and helped them to safety across the river. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Sterns reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.