The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant James E. Soulen (MCSN: 0-37664), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company A, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 6 May 1945. When, while going to the aid of two tanks disabled by enemy antitank fire during the assault upon a strongly-fortified hostile position, his own tank was hit by enemy projectiles which set it on fire and wounded three crew members, Second Lieutenant Soulen remained in his vehicle until he had extinguished the fire and evacuated his wounded crewmen. Immediately thereafter, he returned on foot despite intense Japanese mortar and small-arms fire to the two tanks previously disabled and directed the evacuation of the remaining wounded to another tank. Upon completion of this hazardous task, he located the hostile antitank gun position and relayed that information to another tank which was able to silence the enemy gun. By his quick actions and coolness under fire, Second Lieutenant Soulen contributed materially to the rescue of twelve members of his platoon, and his courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.