The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant James May Rutter, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1863, while serving with Company C, 143d Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. At great risk of his life Sergeant Rutter went to the assistance of a wounded comrade, and while under fire removed him to a place of safety.