The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) James W. Welcher (ASN: 0-1688440), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Service Company [then Company C], 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 9 September 1950 in the vicinity of Wollyong-ni, Korea. As the patrol leader of a volunteer twenty-six man patrol that had the mission of locating any enemy in the general area, Lieutenant Welcher was leading his patrol through rice paddies in normal infantry formations. The patrol was suddenly fired upon with machine gun and small arms fire by the enemy from high ground and well-camouflaged positions. The initial volley hit the lead scout and two other men. Ordering his men to establish a firing line, Lieutenant Welcher ran forward, picked up the wounded scout, and carried him back to the firing line. During the fierce fight that followed, an unknown number of the enemy was killed. As the patrol’s ammunition supply became low, Lieutenant Welcher returned them to the company area. He had obtained information about the enemy’s positions, weapons and strength. The gallantry and initiative displayed by Lieutenant Welcher reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.