Colonel (then First Lieutenant) James K. Ladd, Infantry, United States Army, displayed extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy during an enemy attack upon Company E, 7th Infantry, in the vicinity of Yongan-Ni, North Korea, on 13 December 1950. When the 3d Platoon, Company E was attacked by a numerically superior Chinese Communist force causing the platoon to withdraw due to heavy casualties, Lieutenant Ladd proceeded immediately to the disorganized platoon. Finding the platoon leader severly wounded and all non-commissioned officers wounded or killed, he quickly reorganized the platoon, reinforced it with men from the adjacent platoon and arranged the evacuation of the wounded. Repeatedly exposing himself to heavy enemy fire at short range and with utter disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Ladd then led the counter-attack of the platoon against a well dug in enemy across open terrain and through severe hostile cross fire. The men, inspired by this remarkable display of courage on the part of Lieutenant Ladd charged the hill with minimum casualties. Lieutenant Ladd personally led the assault against two enemy machine gun and three mortar positions. As a result of Lieutenant Ladd’s courageous action the numerically superior enemy force was forced to retreat in disorder and confusion. His prompt recognition of the serious situation and his instinctive and immediate action to save his men and destroy the enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered Federal service from Maryland.

Col. Ladd was a life member and resided in New York.