The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private James Ervin Brisco (ASN: 18262947), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the Battery D, 82d Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self Propelled), 2d Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea, on the night of 31 August – 1 September 1950. At approximately 2300 hours on 31 August 1950, the crew of an Anti-Aircraft Firing Vehicle was forced to abandon the vehicle by superior enemy forces. One man, Private Brisco, was prevented from leaving the turret by very accurate small-arms fire. While wave after wave of enemy troops passed by and around the vehicle he sat motionless in the turret. When two enemy riflemen prepared to destroy the vehicle with hand grenades, Private Brisco shot them. When the early morning light disclosed no enemy troops in the immediate vicinity, Private Brisco, though without training in the operation of the vehicle, realizing the critical need for combat vehicles of this type, resolutely decided to save the vehicle. He was successful but throughout the entire distance to friendly forces he was under intense enemy mortar and small-arms fire and was forced to drive the vehicle through at least one enemy road block. The devotion to duty and indomitable courage displayed by Private Brisco on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.