World War II Honoree

James E. Yeatts

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Richmond, Virginia

Honored By

Family

Corporal, U.S. Army, Forward Observer, 188th Field Artillery Battalion. Participated in 'Exercise Tiger' and awarded the Medal of Combat Valor. Battles and Campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe. American Decorations: Two Presidential Unit Citations, Five Meritorious Unit Citations, Good Conduct Medal with 2 Knots, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern campaign Medal with Bronze Arrowhead and Five Bronze Battle Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Occupation Medal-Germany Clasp and Honorable discharge lapel pin. Belgian Decorations: Belgian Croix de Guerre avec Palm, Belgian Fourragere. French Decorations: French Legion of Honor (France's highest decoration and honor), French Legion of Honor Fourragere, Medal Militaire (France's highest military decoration for combat valor), French Croix de Guerre Avec Palm with Silver Star, French Fourragere, Battle of Normandy Medal, Medal of Liberated France. Honorable discharge October 31, 1945. He received a Battlefield Commission to Second Lieutenant in March of 1945, but due to a misinterpretation of orders he was never pinned with his Second Lieutenant bars. However, he was recognized when receiving the French Legion of Honor by the awarding Consul of France as Second Lieutenant.