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 W. Willbanks (ASN: 18171563), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AW) Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 17 September 1944, in France. His unit had been given the mission of entering the town of Embermenil, known to be held by the enemy. Private First Class Willbanks volunteered for a dismounted patrol which was to determine the exact location of several well-placed machine guns and to either knock them out or direct fire of heavier guns upon them. Private First Class Willbanks and other members of the dismounted patrol were, however, pinned down by cross fire from concealed machine guns before their reached their objective. It was then determined that the patrol was too small to deal with the enemy force at hand and the patrol was ordered to withdraw for reinforcements. It was at this time that Private First Class Willbanks’ chief of section was seriously wounded by the enemy machine gun fire and was unable to proceed to safety. Private First Class Willbanks, disregarding his own personal safety and refusing to leave his wounded comrade, attempted to carry him back to safety. Finding it impossible to get through the machine gun cross fire with the wounded soldier, Private First Class Willbanks remained with his comrade until he two of them were reached by friendly light tanks of a Cavalry Squadron which rescued them. The courage of Private First Class Willbanks was an inspiration to his comrades and reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.