The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) James Clyde Vaughn (ASN: 0-1289655), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 20 October 1943, near Leonardo, Italy. During an attack on enemy positions, Lieutenant Vaughn’s platoon lost contact with the rest of the Company due to a heavy fog. When the fog lifted slightly, he discovered enemy machine-guns on each flank 50 yards away, and enemy mortar positions to the front. He worked his way around to each member of his platoon giving them encouragement, and then crawled 300 yards under the intense enemy fire to his Company Command Post and asked for supporting fire. He received orders to withdraw, however, and returning to the platoon, personally saw that each of his men knew the situation. When the time came for withdrawal, Lieutenant Vaughn, although wounded, remained behind until certain that all of his platoon had safely withdrawn. Seeing some of his men pinned down by an enemy machine-gun, he personally accounted for the enemy gunner with his pistol, thus silencing the gun and enabling the men to withdraw. Lieutenant Vaughn’s courage and leadership under fire was highly meritorious and a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.