The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Private First Class] James H. Cooke (ASN: 0-2263439), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 3 September 1951 in the vicinity of Kach’il-bong, Korea. On that date Company K launched an assault on a strategic hill defended by a numerically superior and fanatically determined enemy force. Lieutenant Cooke’s squad spearheading the assault, advanced to the crest of the hill where it was halted and pinned down by a heavy concentration of fire from several hostile bunkers. Lieutenant Cooke, armed with grenades and his rifle, assaulted the hostile positions, and successfully destroyed them while killing the occupants. During the ensuing action, he was met by several enemy riflemen and, in the action that followed, he succeeded in killing them with his rifle. Under his spirited leadership and inspired by his courage and daring, his men followed him on to the final objective, successfully repelling the enemy and securing it. The gallantry in action and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Cooke reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.