The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James N. Visser (ASN: 42141413), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 25 January 1945 at Haguenau, France. During a severe attack by troops of the German 10th SS Division on his company’s positions, Private Visser was in an exposed position as a machine gunner under heavy enemy mortar and small arms fire. Although enemy troops infiltrated to the rear of his position and opened fire on him, Private Visser persisted in maintaining fire on the main enemy force. With the full knowledge that he was attracting intense enemy fire of all types and that he was becoming more and more a special target for the enemy, Private Visser continued firing until he was mortally wounded by grenades thrown by the enemy in his rear. His gallantry was a major factor in repulsing the enemy assault and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.