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 First Class James E. Vance (ASN: RA-365211647), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery B, 503d Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 November 1950 in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, Korea. Battery B was withdrawing over a narrow road which passed through deep ravines when it was halted by heavy mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire. Sergeant Vance and his men took cover in a ravine approximately 25 yards from his truck where he immediately established a defensive position. For two hours, he engaged the attacking enemy, holding them at bay and thereby enabling the vehicles to continue their rearward displacement. When three enemy broke through his perimeter, Sergeant Vance fearlessly engaged them in hand-to-hand combat and killed all three. The enemy made numerous attempts to capture his vehicle on which was mounted a .50 caliber machine gun, but each time Sergeant Vance, armed with an automatic rifle, met them with withering fire which killed several and dispersed the remainder. During this heroic delaying action he killed 25 enemy and prevented them from capturing the machine gun. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Vance reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.