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 James E. Rudder (ASN: RA-15270098), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Service Company, 72d Tank Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 10 November 1950, in the vicinity of Aech’ang, Korea. Private Rudder was a member of a reconnaissance platoon which had the mission of screening the right flank of a larger unit. He was in the point position of the platoon when the point was suddenly subjected to fire from the direct front and left flank by heavy enemy automatic weapons. Private Rudder dismounted from his jeep and moved up to draw enemy fire to allow his comrades time to assault the enemy position from the flanks. Standing in a completely exposed position subjected to a heavy volume of enemy fire, he threw a hand grenade into the enemy position from a distance of 30 yards. He then immediately charged the position with fixed bayonet, across completely exposed terrain, in order to help his comrades. Private Rudder’s actions in drawing the enemy fire, throwing the grenade, and charging across the open terrain in a bayonet attack was a contributing factor to the destruction of 2 enemy automatic weapons, two enemy killed, and one enemy captured. Private Rudder’s outstanding courage was a great inspiration to the other members of his platoon and reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.