The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant James R. McDowell (MCSN: 287381), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Mortar Platoon Gunnery Sergeant serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Mariana Islands, on the night of 25-26 July 1944. When the Japanese succeeded in penetrating the lines of a nearby company during a fierce counterattack, Gunnery Sergeant McDowell unhesitatingly worked his way forward under intense hostile fire to a position from which to observe the movements of the enemy and subsequently led six other men to stations effectively located for covering the hostile break-through. At dawn, by skillful adjustment of 60-mm. mortar fire, he directed an intense barrage on the enemy forces moving through the gap and, destroying the crews of two heavy Japanese machine guns and one 81-mm. mortar, completely stopped the attack. Later, as his company counterattacked to restore the lines, he courageously manned a machine gun which had previously been put out of action and covered the gap until reinforcements were brought to hold the positions. Gunnery Sergeant McDowell’s splendid initiative, expert leadership and indomitable fighting spirit contributed materially to the successful repulse of a fierce Japanese assault and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.