The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade James L. Thompson (ASN: 35597857), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, on 11 December 1944. Technician Thompson was the leader of a regimental wire squad which installed and maintained wire communications between the 3d Battalion observation post and the regimental command post during an attack on strongly defended enemy positions. The enemy was located on high ground affording excellent observation of the valley in which Technician Thompson and his men had to work, and subjected the wire squad to heavy tank, artillery, machine gun and small arms fire. In spite of such odds, Technician Thompson moved along the wire line for almost an hour, urging his comrades onward and repairing three breaks caused by enemy fire. He was able to observe the muzzle blast and smoke from tanks firing directly at the group from a distance of only a thousand yards, and was forced to continue his work while crawling on his stomach as no positions of cover were accessible. The valiant leadership, devotion to duty and unselfish determination displayed by Technician Thompson reflect high credit upon his character and training as a soldier.