The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) James F. Castles, Jr. (ASN: 0-427988), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 338th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, in action on 18 September 1944, in Italy. When his company was ordered to resume the offensive after having made a series of bitter attacks on a strongly fortified line defended by a fanatical enemy, Captain Castles went forward to reconnoiter the area to his front. Conceiving a brilliant plan, he sent one platoon up to a high mountain to serve as a covering force and rejoined his other two platoons to lead them in the attack. Advancing with the lead platoon, determined to break the enemy resistance, Captain Castles sparked his weary men to assault the bitterly defended positions which resulted in killing eight and capturing sixteen enemy and the capture of his vital objectives. Although he was unable to communicate by radio with his battalion commander, Captain Castles immediately prepared defenses for an expected counterattack and his well conceived plan enabled all fires to be mutually supporting, inflicting severe casualties upon the enemy during their subsequent unsuccessful counterattack. Captain Castles’ gallant leadership, personal courage, and tactical skill in breaking through the enemy defenses reflect the highest traditions of the American Infantryman.