The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal James F. Drake (ASN: 34505043), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Field Artillery Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 8 January 1945, in Luxembourg. When the Battery area was subjected to heavy enemy artillery fire, one of the shells hit the trail of the number two howitzer and ignited some powder in an ammunition dump near the gun. Corporal Drake, like the other men of the Battery, had taken shelter in his foxhole. On seeing the burning powder, he left the safety of his hole, ran over to the burning powder, pulled it a safe distance away from the rest of the ammunition dump, and extinguished it by throwing snow on it. During this action he had absolutely no protection from the shells which continued to fall in the area. His courageous performance undoubtedly prevented the ammunition dump from exploding, thereby saving men and material. His gallant action reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.