James E. Aughtry, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to James E. Aughtry, Jr. (0-2004604), First Lieutenant (Armor), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Tank Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the morning of 20 July 1953, Lieutenant Aughtry, a platoon leader of Tank Company, was in command of a task force of tanks which went into enemy held territory in the vicinity of Kundong-Myon, Korea, with the mission of destroying enemy fortifications. As Lieutenant Aughtry led the tanks toward the objective, his tank struck an antitank mine which disabled the vehicle. He dismounted from the tank and moved through the shell fire to determine if there were more mines in the area. Upon locating other mines, he dug them out, thus clearing a path for another tank to come up to his position and tow the disabled tank back to a place of comparative safety. After clearing the area, he directed the evacuation of the tank back to the friendly lines despite intense enemy shell fire which rained in on the area. Lieutenant Aughtry’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.