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 MacCune (ASN: 31232470), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in France, on 16 June 1944. When his platoon was in attack against the enemy, Private MacCune observed an enemy machine gun firing on the left sector of his platoon. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he advanced alone against the hostile fire, and by his courageous efforts succeeded in demolishing the installation with hand grenades. Seeing that his platoon was still under heavy enemy machine gun and sniper fire, Private MacCune fearlessly exposed himself to the enemy, thus drawing their fire and exposing them as targets for his platoon. Such actions on the part of Private MacCune, performed without thought to the risk of his life, reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant James MacCune (ASN: 31232470), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy from 11 August 1944 to 12 August 1944, in France. Staff Sergeant MacCune was a member of an Infantry battalion which had been isolated by a determined enemy counterattack. Refusing honorable surrender, the battalion was fighting with dogged determination. After three days of heavy fighting, communication lines between elements of the garrison were particularly hard to maintain due to continuous enemy artillery fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant MacCune and a companion voluntarily made more than fifty trips under heavy enemy fire to repair broken communication lines. This daring conduct contributed materially in enabling the battalion to withstand the numerous enemy counterassaults and stand their ground until relief came from an adjoining regiment on 12 August 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant MacCune, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.