World War II Honoree

James J. Pardini

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philadelphia, Florida

Honored By

Kathryn Kellogg

Relationship

Daughter

Due to a hearing loss, he could only do limited service which, in his case, consisted of driving commanding officers. On 5/5/1945, he was in a jeep on a reconnaissance mission with 2 other soldiers and a major. He saw 4 enemy in a ditch beside a bridge up ahead. He left the jeep with utter disregard for his own personal safety and headed towards them. He and the Major (who had followed him) approached and disarmed the soldiers as well as the demolition charge that was about to blow up the bridge. For this, he was awarded a bronze star.