World War II Honoree

James H. Cramer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Marshall, Missouri

Honored By

Self

TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE NEWLY FORMED 10TH ARMORED DIVISION AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA ON OCTOBER 16, 1942. AFTER BASIC TRAINING AT FORT BENNING AND TANK MANEUVERS IN TENNESSEE WE MOVED TO CAMP GORDON IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. SHIPPED OUT OF NEW YORK HARBOR DIRECTLY TO CHERBOURG, FRANCE AND IMMEDIATELY ASSIGNED TO GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD ARMY. THE 10TH ARMORED BECAME THE SPEARHEAD DIVISION FOR PATTON'S MARCH ACROSS FRANCE, LUXEMBOURG, BELGIUM AND GERMANY. THE 10TH ARMORED WAS THE FIRST DIVISION COMMITTED TO STEMMING THE TIDE DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE WHERE THEY HELD BASTOGNE FOR 3 DAYS BEFORE BEING ASSISTED BY THE 101ST AIRBORNE. AT WAR'S END THE 10TH ARMORED SPENT 4 MONTHS IN GARMISCH, BAVARIA BEFORE RETURNING TO THE U.S. HE WAS PROUDLY AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL 'FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE AS A TANK GUNNER DURING THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1, 1944 TO MARCH 22, 1945 IN FRANCE, GERMANY AND LUXEMBOURG. AT NEUSTADT, GERMANY ON MARCH 21, 1945, HONOREE'S TANK CAME UNDER DIRECT 88MM ANTI-TANK FIRE WHILE SUPPORTING AN INFANTRY BATTALION. WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL SAFETY HE MOUNTED HIS TANK AND MOVED IT TO COVER. ON OTHER OCCASIONS HE HAS REMAINED ON DUTY AS TANK GUNNER AND ALSO RADIO OPERATOR DESPITE EXTREME PHYSICAL AND MENTAL FATIGUE. THEREBY MAINTAINING A COMMUNICATIONS LINK WITH OTHER UNITS AND AIDING GREATLY TOWARDS THE SUCCESS OF THE OPERATIONS. HIS DEVOTION TO DUTY REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND THE MILITARY FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.' SIGNED BY GERALD R. DIEFENDERFER, CAPTAIN, HEADQUARTERS COMPANY A, COMMANDING AND BASIL G. THAYER, COLONEL, CAVALRY COMMANDING.