The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) James M. Watkins (ASN: 0-359346), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, on 8 December 1944. Captain Watkins, Commanding Officer, Company F, 2d Battalion, 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, led his unit in an assault crossing of the **** River, up the steep bank of the opposite shore, over enemy trenches, and through wire entanglements to the far crest of the ridges, from which he planned to attack the enemy flank. As forward elements commenced scaling the ridge, a group of the enemy attacked in a half-track vehicle. Realizing the peril to troops still crossing the river should the enemy vehicle reach a position overlooking the river, Captain Watkins and three enlisted men remained in position in a shallow trench. From this position, Captain Watkins directed artillery fire on the vehicle as it moved forward. Under cover of machine gun fire, five German soldiers dismounted and attacked the small group. Captain Watkins killed the enemy leader, an officer, while his men killed the other four Germans. The enemy half-track reached a point but twenty-five yards distant it was demolished by a direct hit from an artillery burst. Captain Watkins continued to adjust their fire throughout the action. His aggressive leadership, intrepid bravery and determination for the successful accomplishment of his mission, are in accord with the military traditions of the United States.