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Personal info

Full name
HART, James S
Date of birth
1916
Age
unknown
Place of birth
New York
Hometown
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York

Military service

Service number
32203447
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
L Company,
3rd Battalion,
15th Infantry Regiment,
3rd Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
26 October 1944
Place of death
In the vicinity of Sauceray, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Plot Row Grave
B 11 8

Immediate family

Members
Peter J. Hart (father)
Minnie Hart (mother)
Joseph Hart (brother)
Margaret Hart (sister)
Peter Hart (brother)

More information

Pfc James S. Hart attended Manual Training High School and was a painter employed by the Michaels Furniture Company before he enlisted at Fort Dix, New Jersey on 20 January 1942. Later in Fort Benning, Georgia he served as a rifle instructor.

On 26 October at about 0730, L Company was moving through the heavily wooded area in the vicinity of Sauceray when they came under sniper and machine gun fire. The platoon leader of the first platoon was hit and seriously wounded. The company commander saw this and wanted to evacuate the wounded. He ordered a machine gunner to give covering fire and then advanced to the wounded. The company commander couldn't move the wounded man alone. Pfc James S. Hart saw this and voluntary left his cover behind a large tree and ran 40 yards out to the officer. Pfc Hart picked up the feet of the platoon leader and together with the company commander the officer was brought to safety. Just before reaching the protection of a big tree and the lead riflemen, a German machine gun opened fire on them, killing Pfc Hart and wounding the company commander. Both the officers could be evacuated.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for this action.

Source of information: Leo Minne, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1940 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Cards, History 3rd Infantry Division WWII
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Andy, Marcel van Aalzum, www.findagrave.com - StratasFan