Memorial

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S/Sgt James A. Wells enlisted in the Army as a Private in Huntington, West Virginia, on 21 November 1941.
He was noted as being a semi-skilled tool sharpener. He was single, without dependents.
Distinguished Service Cross citation:
'The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant James A. Wells (ASN: 35215424), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on June 6, 1944, in France. While his company was pinned down on the beach due to the intense enemy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire, Staff Sergeant Wells, with two other men, volunteered to cut an opening in the barbed wire. In the face of the heavy enemy fire, he opened a gap in the wire and then picked his way through a minefield to the base of a hill and proceeded to lay effective rifle fire on the enemy positions. He caused the enemy to cease firing long enough to allow his company to move through the gap in the wire and join him beyond the minefield. Then, while the men who had joined him laid frontal fire on the enemy positions, he, though continually exposed, moved to the flank and rear of the enemy and subjected them to his extremely accurate rifle fire. While he engaged the enemy, the company again moved forward and successfully assaulted the enemy positions. When the enemy counterattacked, Staff Sergeant Wells again worked his way to the flank and from his exposed position laid effective fire upon the enemy and remained at his post despite the heavy fire that was placed upon him until the counterattack was beaten off. Staff Sergeant Wells' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.'