The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class James Wayne Patteson, United States Naval Reserve, for gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to the I Amphibious Corps. When one of his platoon members was wounded by a light machine gun at Bougainville on 9 December 1943, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Patteson rushed directly into the fire land of the gun and proceeded to administer blood plasma to his fallen comrade. Although mortally wounded just as he completed the task, he succeeded in saving the life of his patient. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.