James D. Moore

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James D. Moore, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Fismette, France, August 12, 1918. With an automatic rifle team, Corporal Moore occupied a house in an advanced position west of Fismette on the night of August 12, the loss of which would have jeopardized his company’s position and hindered the military operations then taking place. The enemy shot a flare into the house, setting fire to it, but Corporal Moore and a companion, under machine-gun and sniper fire in a brilliantly lighted room, extinguished the flames.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James D. Moore (34735897), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Ambulance Orderly with Company C, 112th Medical Battalion, 28th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 13 June 1945, in the vicinity of the Cagayan Valley, Philippine Islands. During the bitter fighting in the Cagayan Valley, Private First Class Moore, together with a companion, had driven through an enemy road block en route to forward positions when he encountered three seriously wounded men who were in need of immediate medical treatment. Although fully aware of the extreme danger involved, he courageously volunteered to assist in the attempt to take the casualties through the dangerous blockade and deliver them to a hospital. The muddy, winding road necessitated a slow rate of speed, and, as the ambulance approached a roadblock, Japanese heavy machine gun opened fire. His companion who was driving was wounded, and halted the vehicle. Private Moore jumped out and ran around to get in the driver’s seat and while so doing was wounded in the leg. However, he took his place but the motor was disabled by hostile fire and refused to run. With presence of mind, he shifted its gears to neutral thus enabling the bullet-riddled vehicle to roll down the hill to safety. By his great personal courage and gallantry in voluntarily risking his own life to save the lives of three critically wounded fellow soldiers, Private First Class Moore set an inspiring example of heroism worthy of the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States, and reflecting great credit upon himself, the 28th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.