The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James H. Cowan, Jr. (MCSN: 0-45223), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company B, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 10 December 1950. Assigned the mission of neutralizing strongly defended enemy positions which were delaying the advance of the company, First Lieutenant Cowan skillfully led his men forward in the face of intense and accurate enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire. Aggressively maneuvering his unit and taking full advantage of supporting arms, he directed heavy fire on the hostile positions and, leading his men in the final assault, engaged the enemy at close quarters with rifle and grenade fire. Although painfully wounded in the face during the bitter hand-to-hand fighting, he continued in the assault and, shouting words of encouragement to his men, inspired them to overrun the enemy, killing or capturing the crews of two machine guns and routing many of the enemy. By his indomitable fighting spirit, inspiring leadership and courageous initiative, First Lieutenant Cowan aided immeasurably in the success achieved by the company and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.