"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty: Private First Class Willy F. James, Jr.
distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism at the risk of his own
life on 7 April 1945 in the Weser River Valley, in the vicinity of
Lippoldsberg, Germany. On 7 April 1945, Company G, 413th Infantry,
fought its way across the Weser River
in order to establish a crucial beachhead. The company then launched a
fierce attack against the town of Lippoldsberg, possession of which was
vital to securing and expanding the important bridgehead. Private First
Class James was first scout of the lead squad in the assault platoon. The mission of the unit was to seize and secure a group of houses on the
edge of town, a foothold from which the unit could launch an attack on
the rest of the town. Far out in front, Private First Class James was
the first to draw enemy fire. His platoon leader came forward to
investigate, but poor visibility made it difficult for Private First
Class James to point out enemy positions with any accuracy. Private
First Class James volunteered to go forward to fully reconnoiter the
enemy situation. Furious crossfire from enemy snipers and machine guns
finally pinned down Private First Class James after making his way
forward approximately 200 yards across open terrain. Lying in an exposed
position for more than an hour, Private First Class James intrepidly
observed the enemy's positions which were given away by the fire Private
first class James was daringly drawing upon himself. Then, with utter
indifference to his personal safety, in a storm of enemy small arms
fire, Private First Class James made his way back more than 300 yards
across open terrain under enemy observation to his platoon positions,
and gave a full, detailed report on the enemy disposition. The unit
worked out a new plan on maneuver based on Private First Class James'
information. The gallant soldier volunteered to lead a squad in an
assault on the key house in the group that formed the platoon objective.
He made his way forward, leading his squad in the assault on the
strongly held enemy positions in the building and designating targets
accurately and continuously as he moved along. While doing so, Private
First Class James saw his platoon leader shot down by enemy snipers. Hastily designating and coolly orienting a leader in his place, Private
First Class James instantly went to the aid of his platoon leader,
exposing himself recklessly to the incessant enemy fire. As he was
making his way across open ground, Private First Class James was killed
by a burst from an enemy machine gun. Private First Class James'
extraordinary heroic action in the face of withering enemy fire provided
the disposition of enemy troops to his platoon. Inspired to the utmost
by Private First Class James' self-sacrifice, the platoon sustained the
momentum of the assault and successfully accomplished its mission with a
minimum of casualties. Private First Class James contributed very
definitely to the success of his battalion in the vitally important
combat operation of establishing and expanding a bridgehead over the
Weser River. His fearless, self-assigned actions, far above and beyond
the normal call of duty, exemplify the finest traditions of the American
combat soldier and reflect with highest credit upon Private First Class
James and the Armed Forces of the United States."
From PFC. James' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on January 13, 1997.
May you be at peace,
Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment