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 E. Blough (ASN: 33257994), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Engineer Treadway Bridge Company, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 9 December 1944, in France. While the *** Engineer Treadway Bridge Company Was attempting to bridge the Saare River in the vicinity of Renelfing, a Major from the **** Engineer Combat Battalion was wounded by an intense enemy artillery barrage. Technician Fifth Grade Blough, on hearing a call for help, ran from a house where he was under cover and without regard for his own personal safety, proceeded across an open space of approximately 200 yards to see what was the matter. He saw that the Major was seriously wounded and needed to be evacuated. He re-crossed the open space to the house and getting into a jeep, drove back to where the Major was lying. He saw that the Major could not be moved so he drove across a treadway bridge which crossed a canal, also under enemy fire, to the Medical Aid Station and personally guided an ambulance jeep; and a first aid man to attend the major. All during the time Technician Fifth Grade Blough was giving assistance the enemy was putting a heavy concentration of artillery fire around the area by direct observation. The courage, initiative, and utter disregard for personal safety displayed by Technician Fifth Grade Blough reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.