The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant James Joy (ASN: RA-19310059), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the early morning hours of 15 June 1953, in the vicinity of Chat-Kol, Korea, Company I, 3d Battalion, of which Sergeant Joy was first sergeant had the mission of counterattacking and regaining control of positions the enemy had overrun in earlier action. Sergeant Joy led a squad toward the hostile positions upon the hill, through intense hostile mortar and automatic weapons fire. As the group went up the hill, heavy mortar fire was concentrated upon them. When the group approached the enemy positions, the automatic weapons fire increased. After giving instructions to the rest of the group, Sergeant Joy led two men to the enemy soldiers who had attempted to come around the flank of his squad. Directing the fire of his men, he managed to take two prisoners, mortally wounding the other enemy soldiers. Observing the success of Sergeant Joy and his men, the enemy soldiers who had remained on the hill, withdrew. Sergeant Joy immediately led his entire group to the top of the hill and formed a defensive perimeter, directing continuous fire at the enemy. Sergeant Joy’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.