World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Willy F. James, Jr enlisted in the United States army at the age of 22. He was sent to Germany with Company C, 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division where he was killed while attempting to rescue his platoon leader. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997 with the citation reading: "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." In 1996, the United States Government affirmed that seven African Americans, including PFC James, had been unjustly denied the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II. In a 1997 White House ceremony, President Bill Clinton presented Valcenie James with her husband's Medal of Honor, the US military's highest decoration.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Willy F. James, Jr enlisted in the United States army at the age of 22. He was sent to Germany with Company C, 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division where he was killed while attempting to rescue his platoon leader. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997 with the citation reading: "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." In 1996, the United States Government affirmed that seven African Americans, including PFC James, had been unjustly denied the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II. In a 1997 White House ceremony, President Bill Clinton presented Valcenie James with her husband's Medal of Honor, the US military's highest decoration.
Bio by: Anne Cady
Inscription
Private 1st Class, 413 Infantry, 104 Division, Missouri, April 8, 1945; Medal of Honor
Family Members
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