The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) James Buchanan Owen (ASN: 0-543663), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Owen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Taeusan, Korea, on 26 July 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Owen moved forward with the lead element of the company as it launched an assault against a large hostile force, firmly entrenched on a commanding slope. As the company attacked, it was subjected to heavy and accurate fire which began to inflict many casualties among the advancing troops. Shouting directions to his men, Lieutenant Owen deployed them to more advantageous positions and then charged the first enemy emplacement. As he neared the position, his weapon was blown from his hands and he was seriously wounded by the intense fire being concentrated on him by the desperate defenders. Undaunted, he continued with his assault and destroyed the emplacement with grenades. Eliminating position after position in this manner with utter fearlessness and despite his wound, Lieutenant Owen so inspired his men that they moved forward in a body and, displaying fierce determination, drove the enemy from their positions. When the hill was secured and a defensive perimeter had been up, Lieutenant Owen still refused medical treatment until he was assured that all of the casualties had been evacuated. He died from his wound a short time thereafter while supervising the evacuation of the wounded friendly troops. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Owen on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.