World War II Honoree

James L. Courtright

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON APRIL 20, 1942 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. TRAINED AS A RADIO OPERATOR (MOS 766) AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JANUARY 18, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO THE 293RD JOINT ASSAULT SIGNAL COMPANY IN SPECIAL TRAINING AS FORWARD OBSERVERS FOR NAVAL AND ARMY ASSAULT SHELLING AT TORQUAY, ENGLAND. ENTERED COMBAT ON D-DAY OF OPERATION OVERLORD AND SERVED THROUGH THE NORMANDY AND NORTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGNS. THEREAFTER, THE 293RD WAS REDEPLOYED TO THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS WHERE IT WAS BASED IN NEW GUINEA AND PARTICIPATED IN ASSAULT LANDINGS AND FIGHTING ON THE ROAD TO LUZON. EARNED A DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN 3RD GRADE ON DECEMBER 31, 1945 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.