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 [then Corporal] James L. MacVean (ASN: 19161906), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 August 1944, in France. Realizing that the local security for an anti-tank gun was overrun, Sergeant MacVean took command of his squad when its leader was wounded and deployed it around the gun. When his position was surrounded, he and his men continued furiously fighting until they withdrew to a previously designated point. Sergeant MacVean then led the squad in evacuating the wounded to a company command post. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant MacVean, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.