COLONEL JAMES A. KIERNAN, (then 1LT) Infantry, 82d Airborne Division, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, as a Platoon Leader, Company A, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, on 6 April 1945, in Germany. First Lieutenant Kiernan displayed initiative, courage and leadership during an assault on a fiercely defended enemy strong point. In addition to personally directing his men in the face of withering enemy fire, he assumed the duties of a rifleman on two different occasions killing 6 and wounding many others of the enemy. With complete disregard for his personal safety he exposed himself in the face of machine gun and heavy artillery fire to render first aid to his mortally wounded assistant platoon leader. First Lieutenant Kiernan was seriously wounded after his platoon had withdrawn in excellent order in the face of superior enemy forces, to new defensive positions. The aggressiveness, calmness and foresight demonstrated by First Lieutenant Kiernan reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces.

Colonel Kiernan is a life memeber and resides in Texas.