The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Major] James L. Minor, United States Army, for heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 142d Infantry Regiment, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Tendon, France, on 24 September 1944. Assigned the mission of severing a strategically important highway, Colonel Minor had almost attained his objective when he was informed that a strong enemy force had attacked across the road behind him, cutting the unit’s supply and communications lines. In the face of heavy machine gun fire, Colonel Minor immediately called for an 81 millimeter mortar and personally observed and directed the fire of the mortar from an exposed position, successfully neutralizing the enemy machine gun emplacements. Although under heavy automatic and rifle fire from prepared positions to his front, and with the hostile forces delivering fire from the rear. Colonel Minor, executing a brilliant maneuver, withdrew his battalion under a hail of hand grenades and attacked the rear force, regaining contact with the remainder of the regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Minor’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.