The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade James W. Marrs (ASN: 37537361), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 9 – 11 January 1945 and 27 April 1945 in France and Germany. During the early phases of the enemy attack on Hatten, France, extremely heavy artillery concentrations inflicted many casualties on our forces. Although slightly wounded himself, Private Marrs drove through the intense fire to secure an ambulance for the wounded, taking three of the men to the aid station on his communications vehicle. Pausing only to have his own wound treated, he then guided the ambulance back to the battalion under direct enemy artillery fire. On 11 January, while laying wire to the Third Battalion, Private Marrs operated with great determination and gallantry in the impact area of an enemy artillery barrage. Although the line was cut several times by shrapnel, he remained exposed to the intense fire and worked with such grim determination that the line was maintained throughout the action. Again, on 27 April at Berg, Germany, while laying wire to the First Battalion, Private Marrs came upon a mine field covered by enemy small arms fire from six prepared positions. Realizing that he could not proceed, he took cover and advanced toward the enemy guns after dark, by-passing the mine field and completed his mission without being detected. Private Marrs’ exceptional skill, courage, and unswerving devotion to duty ensured the successful operation of vital communications by his regiment during its most critical combat operations.