The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James E. Gordon (ASN: 12005132), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 18 February 1945, in the vicinity of Kleinblittersdorf, Germany. An enemy force of approximately fifty counterattacked while the machine gunners and first platoon of Company M were moving to new defensive positions. Private First Class Gordon, gunner of the third squad, put his gun in action and opened fire with no protection on his flanks. In the ensuing action, he destroyed a machine gun, killed one gunner and wounded another. In addition, he killed at least five enemy before he was fatally wounded. His gallantry and bravery in sacrificing himself so that his battalion could retain and strengthen its positions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.