FIELDS, JAMES H. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 10th Armored Infantry,
4th Armored Division. Place and date: Rechicourt, France, 27 September
1944. Entered service at: Houston, Tex. Birth: Caddo, Tex. G.O. No.: 13,
27 February 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, at Rechicourt, France.
On 27 September 1944, during a sharp action with the enemy infantry and
tank forces, 1st Lt. Fields personally led his platoon in a counterattack
on the enemy position. Although his platoon had been seriously depleted,
the zeal and fervor of his leadership was such as to inspire his small
force to accomplish their mission in the face of overwhelming enemy opposition.
Seeing that 1 of the men had been wounded, he left his slit trench and
with complete disregard for his personal safety attended the wounded man
and administered first aid. While returning to his slit trench he was seriously
wounded by a shell burst, the fragments of which cut through his face and
head, tearing his teeth, gums, and nasal passage. Although rendered speechless
by his wounds, 1st Lt. Fields refused to be evacuated and continued to
lead his platoon by the use of hand signals. On 1 occasion, when 2 enemy
machineguns had a portion of his unit under deadly crossfire, he left his
hole, wounded as he was, ran to a light machinegun, whose crew had been
knocked out, picked up the gun, and fired it from his hip with such deadly
accuracy that both the enemy gun positions were silenced. His action so
impressed his men that they found new courage to take up the fire fight,
increasing their firepower, and exposing themselves more than ever to harass
the enemy with additional bazooka and machinegun fire. Only when his objective
had been taken and the enemy scattered did 1st Lt. Fields consent to be
evacuated to the battalion command post. At this point he refused to move
further back until he had explained to his battalion commander by drawing
on paper the position of his men and the disposition of the enemy forces.
The dauntless and gallant heroism displayed by 1st Lt. Fields were largely
responsible for the repulse of the enemy forces and contributed in a large
measure to the successful capture of his battalion objective during this
action. His eagerness and determination to close with the enemy and to
destroy him was an inspiration to the entire command, and are in the highest
traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
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