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 Private First Class James L. Varier (ASN: 36966469), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 276th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Rothback, France on 9 January 1945. Voluntarily serving as a member of the battalion wire section when communication difficulty developed during an engagement with the enemy, Private First Class Varier was hit and severely wounded byfire from an enemy patrol. Despite his wounds, he covered the withdrawal of the other members of his crew with rifle fire until he died. His courageous action enabled one man to escape and summon aid which subsequently drove off the enemy.