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 First Class [then Private] James A. Draper (ASN: RA-13351655), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a member of Company A, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy near Chipyong-ni, Korea, on 15 February 1951. On that date he was a gunner in a machine gun squad of an infantry company which was under attack by a numerically superior enemy force. During this attack two men from a nearby machine gun squad were seriously wounded, and with no thought for his personal safety, Private Draper volunteered to operate the weapon. He fearlessly exposed himself to enemy small arms fire in order to lay a devastating base of fire upon the advancing enemy. His actions were instrumental in repulsing the enemy and in inflicting heavy casualties upon him. The gallant conduct displayed by Private Draper reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.