The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class James D. Ross (ASN: 35213083), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, during World War II. When three of his comrades were seriously wounded by enemy machine gun fire and lay in a completely exposed area in the middle of a road in the Orioung Pass area on 12 June 1945, Private Ross crawled forward in a shallow ditch alongside the road until abreast of the first wounded soldier. From this position, he crawled under intense hostile fire into the completely exposed roadbed and dragged the man to safety. Several minutes later he repeated his gallant action in order to drag a second man to safety. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.