Years of service 1942-1945 Battles/wars World War II Rank Private first class | Name Willy James, Battles and wars World War II | |
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Born March 18, 1920
Kansas City, Missouri ( 1920-03-18 ) Place of burial Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten Died April 8, 1945, Netherlands American Cemetery, Eijsden-Margraten, Netherlands Awards Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal | ||
Service/branch United States Army Allegiance United States of America | ||
Willy F. James Jr. (March 18, 1920 - April 8, 1945) was a United States Army private first class who posthumously received 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.
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Military service
Willy James was born on March 18, 1920 in Kansas City, Missouri. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 11, 1942. He was an infantry scout assigned to Company G, 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division in April 1945. On April 7, 1945, he was lead scout during a maneuver to secure a bridgehead near Lippoldsberg, Germany. As his regiment crossed the Weser River, he was pinned down for more than an hour by enemy machine gun fire. When he was able to return to his platoon with his scouting observations, he helped to develop a new assault plan, designating targets in the new attack. When his platoon leader was mortally wounded, James went to his aid and was himself killed by machine gun fire.
PFC James was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in the Dutch town of Margraten. His grave can be found in plot P, row 9, grave 9.
Awards and decorations
PFC James had received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge prior to his death. Posthumously, he was awarded the Medal of Honor (as of September 23, 2006), the World War II Victory Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
On January 13, 1997, PFC James' Medal of Honor was presented to his widow by President Bill Clinton, in a White House ceremony in which six other African-American soldiers were also awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during World War II.
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. The center houses the 301st Rear Operations Center, the 345th Rear Area Operations Center, the 1172nd Movement Control Team, and their Regional Support Detachment.