The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) James J. Woods, Jr. (ASN: 0-1014465), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 749th Tank Battalion, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 July 1944 in France. While leading a company of tanks in support of an infantry attack Captain Woods received a head wound when the tanks came under enemy artillery and machine gun fire. He nonetheless contributed to direct the assault until he had eliminated all resistance in his assigned zone. He then went to the relief of a group of infantrymen who were arrested under intense enemy machine gun and mortar fire. The dauntless courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Woods reflect highest credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.