The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant James T. Walton (ASN: 34663184), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the **** Sector, France, on 31 July 1944. Sergeant Walton was the leader of a light machine gun squad of a weapons platoon, assigned the mission of protecting the flank of Company C during the advance against the enemy southwest of ****. The Weapons Platoon was pinned down by heavy enemy machine gun and small arms fire, and Sergeant Walton, realizing that forward movement was necessary to continue protection of the company flank, picked up a machine gun, advanced and delivered such accurate fire that the enemy was forced to withdraw. Sergeant Walton was killed in action against the enemy at a later date. The courage, zealous devotion to duty, and disregard for personal safety on the part of Sergeant Walton was directly responsible for the accomplishment of the platoon mission, and reflects the highest credit upon the military service.