The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) James Henry Nix (ASN: 0-1913384), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commander of the 3d Platoon of Company E, 2d Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Nix distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Wonju, Korea, on 14 February 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Nix was ordered to attack well-entrenched enemy positions on Hill 255, a terrain feature lost to a Chinese Community force of battalion strength on the previous night. A frontal attack culminating in an assault of the rugged and well-defended position was the plan for securing the objective. At 1400 hours he launched his attack in coordination with the 1st platoon, the 2d platoon being used as a base of fire. On the initial attack the 1st platoon reached a point about twenty yards from the crest of the hill, but was forced to withdraw when most of the ammunition was expended and the intensity of the enemy fire increased. Lieutenant Nix, detecting the action of the adjacent platoon, withdrew his platoon a short distance in order to reorganize them. Having accomplished this, he resumed the attack and immediately came under flanking fire from the left. Without hesitation, he diverted one squad to neutralize this threat, and continued the attack. Upon reaching the crest of the hill, he observed a ravine on the reverse slope filled with Chinese Communists. Exposing himself to their fire, he emptied his carbine at the group, killing ten of them. After expending his carbine ammunition he drew his pistol and rallied his men in the final phase of the assault among the enemy foxholes. When his pistol ammunition was expended, he picked up an automatic weapon and turned it on the fleeing enemy. His courageous and aggressive leadership inspired his men to overcome the numerically superior enemy force as hand-to-hand combat ensued. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Nix on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.