The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant James C. Blackshear, Jr. (ASN: RA-33784161), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy Korea. On 5 August 1950, near Haman, Korea, during an attack on his battalion by numerically superior enemy forces, Master Sergeant Blackshear was wounded by hostile grenade fragments. Despite his painful wound, he braved the heavy enemy fire to recover a wounded comrade and carry him to the aid statin. Refusing medical attention, he retuned to the battle area where he assisted in the neutralization of a hostile machine gun until he was rendered unconscious by another grenade. Master Sergeant Blackshear’s courageous initiative and selfless devotion to his comrades are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.