The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James W. Kaufman (MCSN: 290966), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 October 1942. During dangerous assaults against our Lunga defense lines by a numerically superior Japanese force, Sergeant Kaufman, with courageous initiative, located and repaired telephone wire line breaks which threatened to seriously disrupt the battalion’s communication system. Fully aware that he was an unprotected target for the weapons of infiltrating enemy groups, he, nevertheless, carried out this voluntary task and, by his prompt, efficient, and heroic action, maintained telephone communications at a critical time during the engagement, thereby enabling his battalion to coordinate its efforts and realize ultimate success in the defeat of the enemy force. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant James W. Kaufman (MCSN: 290966), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on November 8, 1942. While serving as Chief of a section with the Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, Sergeant Kaufman, when his platoon suffered heavy casualties under fire from hostile field and machine guns, bravely exposed himself to vigorous enemy shelling in order to cut in a telephone line to headquarters. As a result of his alert presence of mind and courageous initiative, aircraft and artillery supporting fire were immediately brought to bear on Japanese positions, silencing their fire and inflicting severe casualties.