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 L. Farmer (ASN: RA-18378634), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea. On 24 November 1951, while occupying defensive positions on Hill 355, near Kang So-Ri, Korea, Company E’s outpost was subjected to a fierce attack by hostile troops. Although repulsing the initial attack, the outpost suffered numerous casualties and was in dire need of reinforcements. At this time, Sergeant Farmer, a squad leader in the main company area, led his men forward to bolster the outpost defenses. Finding the defenses in confusion, he and a comrade rescued a crippled machine gun crew after advancing through 25 yards of enemy sniper and automatic weapons fire. Then moving fearlessly about while exposed to the intense hostile fire, Sergeant Farmer skillfully directed the evacuation of casualties, the positioning of troops into a new defense perimeter, and the preparations for withstanding new hostile assaults. Taking up a position as rifleman after having completed restoring order in the outpost, he delivered fire upon the foe until his weapon jammed. Moving quickly to a nearby machine gunner, he was assisting the gunner in pouring intense fire into the enemy when stricken by the hostile fire. The gallantry and exemplary leadership displayed by Sergeant Farmer reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.