The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers), [then Second Lieutenant] James R. McCoy (ASN: 0-2021074), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 27 September 1950 in the vicinity of Yongsu-dong, Korea. Numerically superior enemy forces had launched a furious attack with automatic weapons and small arms fire against his company’s defensive perimeter and soon infiltrated the forward position. Orders were received for the company to abandon its untenable position. Lieutenant McCoy organized his platoon for its withdrawal. While the platoon withdrew to alternate positions Lieutenant McCoy manned an abandoned machine gun, and under his covering fire his platoon successfully completed its withdrawal evacuating all its casualties to safety. Although his position was in danger of being cut off by the enemy and although he was exposed to intense hostile fire, he held fast until he was certain that his men had reached safety. His gallantry and complete disregard for personal safety reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.