James Wylie Jones

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James Wylie Jones, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 130th Infantry Regiment, 33d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 December 1944, in France. Private First Class Jones’ company was attacked by 400 elite German troops and was forced to withdraw. Private Jones voluntarily manned his machine gun to provide covering fire. Disregarding bullets that glanced off his machine gun, he picked up two German hand grenades and threw them back. Private Jones fought for twenty minutes single-handedly until he company could reorganize and counterattack. 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, the 33d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.