Memorial

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Battle of the Bulge Jim was assigned to the 75th Infantry Regiment (Brigade), Company K, of the U.S. Army. This unit had a heroic role in the Battle of the Bulge and was thereafter known as the Bulge Busters. Jim`s unit took part at the northern edge of the bulge near a town called Hotton, in Belgium. The following combat report describes the actions of Jim`s Company K. Combat Team 290 initially met little resistance. It cleared the Hotton Soy road of the enemy, pushed south, and by 2400 on 25 December had reached its objective (the line: Blier Hamptau). The heaviest resistance was met in the advance toward Hampteau. Near the village of Werpin, the enemy was entrenched on a high hill which controlled the Hotton Hampteau road. It was necessary to cross an open field 300 yards wide in order to reach this objective. Company K made a frontal attack, but was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire with great loss. Then, supported by supplemental flank attack`s by Companies I and L, Company K attacked again and drove the enemy from his position. This ended the threat to Hotton and marked the high water mark of the German drive northward toward Liege. Many acts of heroism were performed by the officers and men of Companies K, I, and L in taking this hill. Jim was killed and posthumously awarded the Gold Star and the Purple Heart.