The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade (MC) James R. Heersma (NSN: 0-496123), United States Navy, for gallantry in action against the enemy near Chi-Dong, Korea, on 26 April 1951. On this date, during the initial phase of the enemy offensive, the 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, was withdrawing to a new position, moving along the Main Supply route in column. Lieutenant Heersma, Battalion Surgeon, was tailing the column in an ambulance. In the vicinity of Chi-Dong the column made a halt due to a traffic jam. As the column came to a halt, the enemy, who had taken up positions behind the railroad embankment which ran parallel to the Maine Supply route at a distance of approximately 100 yards, took the Battalion under fire with automatic weapons, machine guns, and small arms fire. Calls for medics went out along the column as soldiers became wounded. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Heersma, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, walked down the column, which was under fire at all times, rendering aid to the wounded. Three times Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Heersma left a place of safety to render aid, walking distances of 100 to 300 yards, on foot and under fire, to assist wounded soldiers. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Heersma’s actions, gallantry, and heroism on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.