Willy F. James, Jr.

Infobox Military Person
name= Willy F. James, Jr.
born= birth date|1920|3|18
died= death date and age|1945|4|8|1920|3|18
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath= KIA near Lippoldsberg, Germany
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears= 1942-1945
rank= Private First Class
commands=
unit= 413th Infantry
battles= World War II
awards= Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart
laterwork=

Willy F. James, Jr. (March 18, 1920 - April 8, 1945) was a United States Army private first class who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War II. He was one of seven African-American soldiers who were belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton on January 13, 1997.

Military service

James enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 11, 1942, was assigned to Company G, 413th Infantry Division, 104th Infantry Division near Lippoldsberg, Germany, at the time he earned the Medal. As lead scout during a maneuver to secure a bridgehead, he was pinned down for more than an hour by enemy machine gun fire.

When he was able to return to his platoon, he used his observations to help work out a new assault plan and designated targets from memory in the new attack. He was killed by machine-gun fire while going to the aid of his fatally wounded platoon leader.

PFC James was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in the Dutch town of Margraten.

Awards and decorations

Medal of Honor (as of 23 September 1996); Bronze Star (Posthumously); Purple Heart (Posthumously); Army Good Conduct Medal (Posthumously); European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal Posthumously); Combat Infantryman Badge.

Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism on April 7, 1945, near Lippoldsberg, Germany. As lead scout during a maneuver, Pvt. James was the first to draw enemy fire. He was pinned down for over an hour, during which time he observed enemy positions In detail. Returning to his platoon, he assisted in working out a new plan of maneuver. He then led a squad in the assault, accurately designating targets as he advanced, until he was killed by enemy machine gun fire while going to the aid of his fatally wounded platoon leader.

Namesake and honors

On November 4, 2001, the 7th U.S. Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) Reserve Center in Bamberg, Germany was dedicated to the memory of PFC Willy F. James, Jr.cite journal
title=Army Reserve Center dedicated to African American Medal of Honor recipient
author=Masters, Burt
date=Spring 2002
journal=Army Reserve Magazine
url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KAB/is_1_48/ai_89233078
accessdate=2007-12-26] The center houses the 301st Rear Operations Center, the 345th Rear Area Operations Center, the 1172nd Movement Control Team, and their Regional Support Detachment.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
*List of African American Medal of Honor recipients

Notes

References

:"This article contains text in the public domain from the United States Army."
*Kelly, S.H. [http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/print.php?story_id_key=2187 "Seven WWII vets to receive Medals of Honor"] , "Army News Service", January 13, 1997. (URL accessed on April 23, 2006).

External links

*cite web|accessdate=2007-03-27|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan1997/n01151997_9701154.html
title= Army Finally Recognizes WWII Black Heroes
author=Jim Garamone |date=January 15, 1997
work=DefenseLINK News