The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] James A. King (ASN: 34981706), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 8 April 1945, in the vicinity of Herbolzheim, Germany. After the company was forced to withdraw from the town by heavy losses and overwhelming odds, it was discovered that two men were missing. Sergeant King volunteered to return to the enemy-held town and search for the two men. Moving through extremely heavy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, Sergeant King reached the town and began to search the burning buildings, including one in which stored ammunition was exploding. After a search of several minutes, he discovered the men and led them to safety. Sergeant King’s courage and gallantry under fire reflect high credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.