The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private James Kephart, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 19 May 1863, while serving with Company C, 13th U.S. Infantry, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Private Kephart voluntarily and at the risk of his life, under a severe fire of the enemy, aided and assisted to the rear an officer who had been severely wounded and left on the field.