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 H. Mackey (ASN: 35814218), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 542d Field Artillery Battalion, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 2 May 1945 near Egmating, Germany. When enemy tanks were reported nearby, Private Mackey and two other men set out voluntarily to find them and followed fresh tank tracks until they came upon five Germans who fled but were later captured. Discovering an outpost of five more Germans Private Mackey and his party opened fire and pursued them so closely that they arrived at the tanks before any warning could be given to the tank crews. As a result of the action, four Mark V tanks, completely armed and equipped, were captured with their crews.