James M. Morris

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James M. Morris, 01 998 052, Infantry, Company “K”, 15th Infantry Regiment. On 2300 hours, while patrolling south of Sigolsheim, France, Lieutenant Morris, alone, engaged eight enemy soldiers in a bitter fire-fight. Dashing twenty yards to the cover of a knocked out tank, Lieutenant Morris, although the target of point-blank automatic rifle and machine pistol fire which barely missed him, fired short bursts from his sub-machine gun and succeeded in killing three enemy soldiers, wounding two and forcing three to withdraw.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James M. Morris (0-730573), Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 77th Fighter Squadron, 19th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 February 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Captain Morris shot down FOUR enemy aircraft in a single engagement. Captain Morris’ unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.