The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal James H. Henkel (ASN: RA-37792203), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 25 May 1951, in the vicinity of Chaun-ni, Korea. Company L had the mission of securing the high ground north of the Soyang River. Corporal Henkel was riding on one of the lead tanks. While en route to the objective, the company encountered a strong enemy roadblock. The lead tank struck a mine and the enemy sprayed the supporting troops with automatic weapons and small arms fire. When an enemy rocket launcher team fired a round into the tank he was riding, seriously wounding the entire crew, Corporal Henkel, with complete disregard for his personal safety, immediately jumped upon the turret of the tank and fired the .50 caliber machine gun, killing the members of the enemy team. He then engaged the enemy-held positions in an intense firefight, although he was completely exposed to the fire of the enemy. He remained in his exposed position for one hour and a half in order to cover the evacuation of the wounded, during which time he inflicted numerous casualties upon the hostile force. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Henkel reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.