The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Jim Harvey Thompson (MCSN: 559946), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Leader of a Machine Gun Section of Weapons Company, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 8 December 1950. With his company suddenly pinned down by intense hostile fire from three directions during an assault against a numerically superior enemy force south of Koto-ri, Sergeant Thompson fearlessly led his section forward through the heavy barrage and, quickly setting up his machine guns in an exposed area, delivered accurate and effective fire to neutralize the opposition sufficiently to enable his company to advance. Despite several wounds sustained during the bitter action, he bravely continued to direct the fire of his section against the enemy, offering words of encouragement to his men and inspiring them to greater efforts until he fell, mortally wounded. By his aggressive leadership, courageous fighting spirit and unrelenting devotion to duty in the face of grave peril, Sergeant Thompson contributed materially to the successful seizure of the assigned objective and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.