Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to James David Wheatley, Jr. (0-1301066), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, on April 5, 1945, in Italy. First Lieutenant Wheatley's company was ordered to take and hold a high peak in the vicinity of Mount Belvedere to secure its battalion's right flank. When the company was halted by intense enemy small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, First Lieutenant Wheatley proceeded to reconnoiter the hostile positions. He worked his way 200 yards over open terrain under constant sniper and mortar fire to an abandoned enemy bunker on a high mound. He had no sooner reached the position than the foe scored a direct hit on the bunker. Though his carbine was rendered useless and he was wounded in two places, First Lieutenant Wheatley remained to complete his observation. Returning to the company, he directed artillery fire upon the foe, forcing him to abandon a bunker and a machine gun position. When numerous snipers also withdrew, he led the company in seizing the objective. First Lieutenant Wheatley's aggressive performance reflects great credit on the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Headquarters, 92d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 83 (September 24, 1945)
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to James David Wheatley, Jr. (0-1301066), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, on April 5, 1945, in Italy. First Lieutenant Wheatley's company was ordered to take and hold a high peak in the vicinity of Mount Belvedere to secure its battalion's right flank. When the company was halted by intense enemy small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, First Lieutenant Wheatley proceeded to reconnoiter the hostile positions. He worked his way 200 yards over open terrain under constant sniper and mortar fire to an abandoned enemy bunker on a high mound. He had no sooner reached the position than the foe scored a direct hit on the bunker. Though his carbine was rendered useless and he was wounded in two places, First Lieutenant Wheatley remained to complete his observation. Returning to the company, he directed artillery fire upon the foe, forcing him to abandon a bunker and a machine gun position. When numerous snipers also withdrew, he led the company in seizing the objective. First Lieutenant Wheatley's aggressive performance reflects great credit on the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Headquarters, 92d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 83 (September 24, 1945)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to James David Wheatley, Jr. (0-1301066), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, on April 5, 1945, in Italy. First Lieutenant Wheatley's company was ordered to take and hold a high peak in the vicinity of Mount Belvedere to secure its battalion's right flank. When the company was halted by intense enemy small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, First Lieutenant Wheatley proceeded to reconnoiter the hostile positions. He worked his way 200 yards over open terrain under constant sniper and mortar fire to an abandoned enemy bunker on a high mound. He had no sooner reached the position than the foe scored a direct hit on the bunker. Though his carbine was rendered useless and he was wounded in two places, First Lieutenant Wheatley remained to complete his observation. Returning to the company, he directed artillery fire upon the foe, forcing him to abandon a bunker and a machine gun position. When numerous snipers also withdrew, he led the company in seizing the objective. First Lieutenant Wheatley's aggressive performance reflects great credit on the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Headquarters, 92d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 83 (September 24, 1945)
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to James David Wheatley, Jr. (0-1301066), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, on April 5, 1945, in Italy. First Lieutenant Wheatley's company was ordered to take and hold a high peak in the vicinity of Mount Belvedere to secure its battalion's right flank. When the company was halted by intense enemy small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, First Lieutenant Wheatley proceeded to reconnoiter the hostile positions. He worked his way 200 yards over open terrain under constant sniper and mortar fire to an abandoned enemy bunker on a high mound. He had no sooner reached the position than the foe scored a direct hit on the bunker. Though his carbine was rendered useless and he was wounded in two places, First Lieutenant Wheatley remained to complete his observation. Returning to the company, he directed artillery fire upon the foe, forcing him to abandon a bunker and a machine gun position. When numerous snipers also withdrew, he led the company in seizing the objective. First Lieutenant Wheatley's aggressive performance reflects great credit on the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Headquarters, 92d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 83 (September 24, 1945)
Inscription
1LT, 442 INF, 34 INF DIV WORLD WAR II
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