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 A. Taylor (ASN: RA-38177909), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Heavy Tank Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 25 April 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea, Sergeant Taylor’s unit was holding defensive positions on a ridge when a large enemy force launched a series of night attacks utilizing severe small arms, artillery, automatic weapons, mortars and grenade fire. Moving his tank near the enemy with great effectiveness until the vehicle was stopped by a thrown track, Sergeant Taylor manned the deck machine gun amid concentrated hostile fire and assisted in repulsing two attacks. When nearby ground troops were safely withdrawn and his machine became surrounded by the foe, he destroyed parts of his tank useful to the enemy before ordering it abandoned. During the fight, both Sergeant Taylor and a fellow crew member were painfully wounded; but the crew, under his direction, crossed over 100 yards of open bullet-swept terrain where they reached another tank and were evacuated to safety. Sergeant Taylor’s gallant actions and aggressive leadership reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.