James R. Flannigan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James R. Flannigan, Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Battery A, 29th Field Artillery Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 1 December 1944, in Germany. On that date Technician Fifth Grade Flannigan was serving as a radio operator of a forward observer party which was accompanying a rifle company of the 8th Infantry Regiment during an assault on enemy positions in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. When the company was cut off and surrounded by strong enemy forces, Corporal Flannigan voluntarily carried a message through the enemy lines, killing one German and capturing another as he fought the way to the Battalion Command Post. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.