James A. Duncan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to James A. Duncan, Staff Sergeant [then Technician Fifth Grade], U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 276th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 10 March 1945. While Staff Sergeant Duncan’s company attacked through the wooded hills north of Forbach, France, it encountered a heavy crossfire of enemy machine gun fire. When small arms fire failed to neutralize the hostile guns, Staff Sergeant Duncan voluntarily picked up a bazooka and crawled forward of the guns. Failing to knock out the position his own location was directly exposed to enemy fire. Nevertheless, he reloaded his bazooka and taking careful aim destroyed the strongpoint. Crawling over 300 yards to a new position he then knocked out the other enemy machine gun. His gallant initiative and actions enabled his company to advance and complete its mission.