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 First Class James Cheek (ASN: 37522225), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 18 January 1945 while serving as gunner of the 3d Mortar Squad with Company K, 3d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in a defensive position along the southern edge of the Bois de Soufflenheim, France when the enemy attacked our positions following an intense artillery barrage. Observing more than one hundred Germans rushing toward his position and realizing that the range was too close for ordinary sighting adjustment, Private Cheek held his mortar between his legs and began dropping shells less than thirty-five yards away, causing numerous enemy casualties. When his platoon was ordered to withdraw, Private Cheek covered the withdrawal by remaining at his position and, feeding shells into the almost perpendicular tube of his mortar, maintained a deadly fire upon the advancing enemy until all of his ammunition was exhausted. Following the remainder of the platoon to the alternate position, he again placed the mortar into action and continued the fight. His outstanding courage and daring initiative were responsible for numerous enemy casualties and greatly contributed to the successful repulse of the enemy attack.