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name
JAMES, Willy F Jr - Date of
birth
18 March 1920 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri -
Hometown
Jackson County, Missouri -
Ethnicity
African American
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37223753 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
Lead Scout -
Unit
G Company,
2nd Battalion,
413th Infantry Regiment,
104th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Medal of Honor,
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 April 1945 - Place of
death
Lippoldsberg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| P | 9 | 9 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Willy F. James Sr. (father)
Valcenie (Jackson) James (wife)
More information
Pfc Willy F. James Jr. enlisted on 11 September 1942.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.
The Medal of Honor was presented to Valcenie James by President Clinton in 1997 at a ceremony at the White House.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Records / The Salina Journal - 14 January 1997
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Mieke Kirkels