The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain J. W. Cotton, Jr. (AFSN: 14972A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action as pilot of an unarmed T-6 aircraft with the 6149th Tactical Control Squadron (Air), FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 24 June 1951. While on a low altitude reconnaissance mission in search of enemy troops and supply concentrations, Captain Cotton’s aircraft received a direct hit through the canopy from an enemy machine gun position. As a result, he received a head injury and was temporarily stunned. Despite the wound and damaged condition of the aircraft, Captain Cotton remained in the target area for a period of more than two hours to direct the fire of fighter aircraft which had reported in for his control. In addition, he made frequent low passes through intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire to direct the fighters against the best targets. Through skillful direction of the fire power of the fighters, Captain Cotton was instrumental in destroying two enemy machine gun positions, one heavy gun position, and inflicting an estimated one hundred casualty score on enemy troops. Captain Cotton’s courage and devotion to duty, reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.