The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class James E. Baptiste (ASN: RA-33589630), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 3 February 1951, near Sokon-on, Korea, the second platoon, Company K, 3d Battalion, was subjected to an intense concentration of mortar and automatic weapons fire from a well-entrenched enemy and several casualties were sustained. When the leader of the first squad was wounded, Sergeant Baptiste reorganized the remainder of the first and second squads into an effective fighting force and continued the attack on the objective. In this assault he killed seven of the enemy. Although wounded in the ensuing action by an enemy grenade, he refused immediate medical attention and courageously dashed through intense hostile fire in order to rescue his wounded comrades. Sergeant Baptiste’s actions inspired his men to press the attack vigorously and immeasurably contributed to the platoon’s success in securing its objective. The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Baptiste reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.