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 James R. Curtis (ASN: US-44173547), 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 29 July 1951 in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea. On that date while Company K was in an attack on enemy-held dominating terrain, heavy enemy resistance pinned down Private Curtis’ platoon. A small group of the enemy started to counter-attack. Private Curtis and his comrades, an automatic rifle team, met the attacking enemy group with a heavy volume of fire and grenades, inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy and forcing him to withdraw. Private Curtis left his position and assaulted the enemy emplacement that had his platoon pinned down, inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy. Private Curtis’ courageous action enabled his platoon to advance and secure its objective. The gallantry in action displayed by Private Curtis on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.