World War II Honoree

James E. Wharton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Augusta County, Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: BRIGADIER GENERAL. HE WAS A GRADUATE FROM THE INFANTRY SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA; THE COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF SCHOOL AT FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS; THE ARMY WAR COLLEGE AND THE ARMY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. A FEW HOURS AFTER ASSUMING COMMAND OF THE 28TH INFANTRY ‘KEYSTONE’ DIVISION IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS, HE WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED AUGUST 12, 1944 BY A GERMAN SNIPER. HE WAS VISITING ONE OF HIS REGIMENTS ON THE FRONT LINE IN THE VICINITY OF GATHEMO AND FALAISE GAP, FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: LEGION OF MERIT AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE LEGION OF MERIT WAS AWARDED TO THE GENERAL FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS CONDUCT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OUTSTANDING SERVICES AND ACHIEVEMENTS. HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO VIRGINIA FOR BURIAL, WITH INTERMENT IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, FORT MYER, VIRGINIA.