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JACHMAN, ISADORE S.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 513th Parachute
Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Flamierge, Belgium, 4 January 1945.
Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Birth: Berlin, Germany. G.O. No.:
25, 9 June 1950.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty at Flamierge, Belgium, on 4 January
1945, when his company was pinned down by enemy artillery, mortar, and
small arms fire, 2 hostile tanks attacked the unit, inflicting heavy.
casualties. S/Sgt. Jachman, seeing the desperate plight of his comrades,
left his place of cover and with total disregard for his own safety
dashed across open ground through a hail of fire and seizing a bazooka
from a fallen comrade advanced on the tanks, which concentrated their
fire on him. Firing the weapon alone, he damaged one and forced both
to retire. S/Sgt. Jachman's heroic action, in which he suffered fatal
wounds, disrupted the entire enemy attack, reflecting the highest credit
upon himself and the parachute infantry.
JACKSON, ARTHUR J.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Battalion,
7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Island of Peleliu
in the Palau group, 18 September 1944. Entered service at: Oregon. Born:
18 October 1924, Cleveland Ohio.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against
enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18
September 1944. Boldly taking the initiative when his platoon's left
flank advance was held up by the fire of Japanese troops concealed in
strongly fortified positions, Pfc. Jackson unhesitatingly proceeded
forward of our lines and, courageously defying the heavy barrages, charged
a large pillbox housing approximately 35 enemy soldiers. Pouring his
automatic fire into the opening of the fixed installation to trap the
occupying troops, he hurled white phosphorus grenades and explosive
charges brought up by a fellow marine, demolishing the pillbox and killing
all of the enemy. Advancing alone under the continuous fire from other
hostile emplacements, he employed similar means to smash 2 smaller positions
in the immediate vicinity. Determined to crush the entire pocket of
resistance although harassed on all sides by the shattering blasts of
Japanese weapons and covered only by small rifle parties, he stormed
1 gun position after another, dealing death and destruction to the savagely
fighting enemy in his inexorable drive against the remaining defenses,
and succeeded in wiping out a total of 12 pillboxes and 50 Japanese
soldiers. Stouthearted and indomitable despite the terrific odds. Pfc.
Jackson resolutely maintained control of the platoon's left flank movement
throughout his valiant 1-man assault and, by his cool decision and relentless
fighting spirit during a critical situation, contributed essentially
to the complete annihilation of the enemy in the southern sector of
the island. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct in the face of
extreme peril reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Jackson and the U.S.
Naval Service.
JACOBSON, DOUGLAS THOMAS
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve,
3d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo
Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 February 1945. Entered service at: New York.
Born: 25 November 1925, Rochester, N.Y.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with the 3d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in combat against
enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano
Island, 26 February 1945. Promptly destroying a stubborn 20mm. antiaircraft
gun and its crew after assuming the duties of a bazooka man who had
been killed, Pfc. Jacobson waged a relentless battle as his unit fought
desperately toward the summit of Hill 382 in an effort to penetrate
the heart of Japanese cross-island defense. Employing his weapon with
ready accuracy when his platoon was halted by overwhelming enemy fire
on 26 February, he first destroyed 2 hostile machinegun positions, then
attacked a large blockhouse, completely neutralizing the fortification
before dispatching the 5-man crew of a second pillbox and exploding
the installation with a terrific demolitions blast. Moving steadily
forward, he wiped out an earth-covered rifle emplacement and, confronted
by a cluster of similar emplacements which constituted the perimeter
of enemy defenses in his assigned sector, fearlessly advanced, quickly
reduced all 6 positions to a shambles, killed 10 of the enemy, and enabled
our forces to occupy the strong point. Determined to widen the breach
thus forced, he volunteered his services to an adjacent assault company,
neutralized a pillbox holding up its advance, opened fire on a Japanese
tank pouring a steady stream of bullets on 1 of our supporting tanks,
and smashed the enemy tank's gun turret in a brief but furious action
culminating in a single-handed assault against still another blockhouse
and the subsequent neutralization of its firepower. By his dauntless
skill and valor, Pfc. Jacobson destroyed a total of 16 enemy positions
and annihilated approximately 75 Japanese, thereby contributing essentially
to the success of his division's operations against this fanatically
defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His gallant conduct in the
face of tremendous odds enhanced and sustained the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service.
JAMES, WILLY F., Jr.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action
on 7 April 1945 near Lippoldsberg, Germany. As lead scout during a maneuver
to secure and expand a vital bridgehead, Private First Class James was
the first to draw enemy fire. He was pinned down for over an hour, during
which time he observed enemy positions in detail. Returning to his platoon,
he assisted in working out a new plan of maneuver. He then led a squad
in the assault, accurately designating targets as he advanced, until
he was killed by enemy machine gun fire while going to the aid of his
fatally wounded platoon leader. Private First Class James' fearless,
self-assigned actions, coupled with his diligent devotion to duty exemplified
the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.
JERSTAD, JOHN L. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force. Place
and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943. Entered service at:
Racine, Wis. Born: 12 February 1918, Racine, Wis. G.O. No.: 72, 28 October
1943.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty. On 1 August 1943, he served as pilot
of the lead aircraft in his group in a daring low-level attack against
enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploesti, Rumania. Although
he had completed more than his share of missions and was no longer connected
with this group, so high was his conception of duty that he volunteered
to lead the formation in the correct belief that his participation would
contribute materially to success in this attack. Maj. Jerstad led the
formation into attack with full realization of the extreme hazards involved
and despite withering fire from heavy and light antiaircraft guns. Three
miles from the target his airplane was hit, badly damaged, and set on
fire. Ignoring the fact that he was flying over a field suitable for
a forced landing, he kept on the course. After the bombs of his aircraft
were released on the target, the fire in his ship became so intense
as to make further progress impossible and he crashed into the target
area. By his voluntary acceptance of a mission he knew was extremely
hazardous, and his assumption of an intrepid course of action at the
risk of life over and above the call of duty, Maj. Jerstad set an example
of heroism which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.
JOHNSON, ELDEN H.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d
Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Valmontone, Italy, 3 June 1944.
Entered service at: East Weymouth, Mass. Birth: Bivalue, N.J. G.O. No.:
38, 16 May 1945.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Johnson elected
to sacrifice his life in order that his comrades might extricate themselves
from an ambush. Braving the massed fire of about 60 riflemen, 3 machineguns,
and 3 tanks from positions only 25 yards distant, he stood erect and
signaled his patrol leader to withdraw. The whole area was brightly
illuminated by enemy flares. Then, despite 20mm. machineguns, machine
pistol, and rifle fire directed at him, Pvt. Johnson advanced beyond
the enemy in a slow deliberate walk. Firing his automatic rifle from
the hip, he succeeded in distracting the enemy and enabled his 12 comrades
to escape. Advancing to within 5 yards of a machinegun, emptying his
weapon, Pvt. Johnson killed its crew. Standing in full view of the enemy
he reloaded and turned on the riflemen to the left, firing directly
into their positions. He either killed or wounded 4 of them. A burst
of machinegun fire tore into Pvt. Johnson and he dropped to his knees.
Fighting to the very last, he steadied himself on his knees and sent
a final burst of fire crashing into another German. With that he slumped
forward dead. Pvt. Johnson had willingly given his life in order that
his comrades might live. These acts on the part of Pvt. Johnson were
an inspiration to the entire command and are in keeping with the highest
traditions of the armed forces.
JOHNSON, LEON W. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps, 44th Bomber Group,
9th Air Force. Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943.
Entered service at: Moline, Kans. Born: 13 September 1904, Columbia,
Mo. G.O. No.: 54, 7 September 1943.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty on 1 August 1943. Col. Johnson, as commanding officer of a heavy
bombardment group, let the formation of the aircraft of his organization
constituting the fourth element of the mass low-level bombing attack
of the 9th U.S. Air Force against the vitally important enemy target
of the Ploesti oil refineries. While proceeding to the target on this
2,400-mile flight, his element became separated from the leading elements
of the mass formation in maintaining the formation of the unit while
avoiding dangerous cumulous cloud conditions encountered over mountainous
territory. Though temporarily lost, he reestablished contact with the
third element and continued on the mission with this reduced force to
the prearranged point of attack, where it was discovered that the target
assigned to Col. Johnson's group had been attacked and damaged by a
preceding element. Though having lost the element of surprise upon which
the safety and success of such a daring form of mission in heavy bombardment
aircraft so strongly depended, Col. Johnson elected to carry out his
planned low-level attack despite the thoroughly alerted defenses, the
destructive antiaircraft fire, enemy fighter airplanes, the imminent
danger of exploding delayed action bombs from the previous element,
of oil fires and explosions, and of intense smoke obscuring the target.
By his gallant courage, brilliant leadership, and superior flying skill,
Col. Johnson so led his formation as to destroy totally the important
refining plants and installations which were the object of his mission.
Col. Johnson's personal contribution to the success of this historic
raid, and the conspicuous gallantry in action, and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty demonstrated by him
on this occasion constitute such deeds of valor and distinguished service
as have during our Nation's history formed the finest traditions of
our Armed Forces.
JOHNSON, LEROY
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 126th Infantry,
32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Limon, Leyte, Philippine
Islands, 15 December 1944. Entered service at: Oakdale, La. Birth: Caney
Creek, La. G.O. No.: 83, 2 October 1945.
Citation: He was squad leader of a 9-man patrol
sent to reconnoiter a ridge held by a well-entrenched enemy force. Seeing
an enemy machinegun position, he ordered his men to remain behind while
he crawled to within 6 yards of the gun. One of the enemy crew jumped
up and prepared to man the weapon. Quickly withdrawing, Sgt. Johnson
rejoined his patrol and reported the situation to his commanding officer.
Ordered to destroy the gun, which covered the approaches to several
other enemy positions, he chose 3 other men, armed them with hand grenades,
and led them to a point near the objective. After taking partial cover
behind a log, the men had knocked out the gun and begun an assault when
hostile troops on the flank hurled several grenades. As he started for
cover, Sgt. Johnson saw 2 unexploded grenades which had fallen near
his men. Knowing that his comrades would be wounded or killed by the
explosion, he deliberately threw himself on the grenades and received
their full charge in his body. Fatally wounded by the blast, he died
soon afterward. Through his outstanding gallantry in sacrificing his
life for his comrades, Sgt. Johnson provided a shining example of the
highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
JOHNSON, OSCAR G.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 363d Infantry,
91st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Scarperia, Italy, 16-18
September 1944. Entered service at: Foster City, Mich. Birth: Foster
City, Mich. G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945.
Citation: (then Pfc.) He practically single-handed
protected the left flank of his company's position in the offensive
to break the German's gothic line. Company B was the extreme left assault
unit of the corps. The advance was stopped by heavy fire from Monticelli
Ridge, and the company took cover behind an embankment. Sgt. Johnson,
a mortar gunner, having expended his ammunition, assumed the duties
of a rifleman. As leader of a squad of 7 men he was ordered to establish
a combat post 50 yards to the left of the company to cover its exposed
flank. Repeated enemy counterattacks, supported by artillery, mortar,
and machinegun fire from the high ground to his front, had by the afternoon
of 16 September killed or wounded all his men. Collecting weapons and
ammunition from his fallen comrades, in the face of hostile fire, he
held his exposed position and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy,
who several times came close enough to throw hand grenades. On the night
of 16-17 September, the enemy launched his heaviest attack on Company
B, putting his greatest pressure against the lone defender of the left
flank. In spite of mortar fire which crashed about him and machinegun
bullets which whipped the crest of his shallow trench, Sgt. Johnson
stood erect and repulsed the attack with grenades and small arms fire.
He remained awake and on the alert throughout the night, frustrating
all attempts at infiltration. On 17 September, 25 German soldiers surrendered
to him. Two men, sent to reinforce him that afternoon, were caught in
a devastating mortar and artillery barrage. With no thought of his own
safety, Sgt. Johnson rushed to the shell hole where they lay half buried
and seriously wounded, covered their position by his fire, and assisted
a Medical Corpsman in rendering aid. That night he secured their removal
to the rear and remained on watch until his company was relieved. Five
companies of a German paratroop regiment had been repeatedly committed
to the attack on Company B without success. Twenty dead Germans were
found in front of his position. By his heroic stand and utter disregard
for personal safety, Sgt. Johnson was in a large measure responsible
for defeating the enemy's attempts to turn the exposed left flank.
JOHNSTON, WILLIAM J.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 180th
Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Padiglione, Italy,
17-19 February 1944. Entered service at: Colchester, Conn. Birth: Trenton,
N.J. G.O. No.: 73, 6 September 1944.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against
the enemy. On 17 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, he observed
and fired upon an attacking force of approximately 80 Germans, causing
at least 25 casualties and forcing withdrawal of the remainder. All
that day he manned his gun without relief, subject to mortar, artillery,
and sniper fire. Two Germans individually worked so close to his position
that his machinegun was ineffective, whereupon he killed 1 with his
pistol, the second with a rifle taken from another soldier. When a rifleman
protecting his gun position was killed by a sniper, he immediately moved
the body and relocated the machinegun in that spot in order to obtain
a better field of fire. He volunteered to cover the platoon's withdrawal
and was the last man to leave that night. In his new position he maintained
an all-night vigil, the next day causing 7 German casualties. On the
afternoon of the 18th, the organization on the left flank having been
forced to withdraw, he again covered the withdrawal of his own organization.
Shortly thereafter, he was seriously wounded over the heart, and a passing
soldier saw him trying to crawl up the embankment. The soldier aided
him to resume his position behind the machinegun which was soon heard
in action for about 10 minutes. Though reported killed, Pfc. Johnston
was seen returning to the American lines on the morning of 19 February
slowly and painfully working his way back from his overrun position
through enemy lines. He gave valuable information of new enemy dispositions.
His heroic determination to destroy the enemy and his disregard of his
own safety aided immeasurably in halting a strong enemy attack, caused
an enormous amount of enemy casualties, and so inspired his fellow soldiers
that they fought for and held a vitally important position against greatly
superior forces.
JONES, HERBERT CHARPOIT
Rank and organization: Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve. Born: 1 December
1918, Los Angeles, Calif. Accredited to: California.
Citation: For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary
courage, and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the
call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese
forces on 7 December 1941. Ens. Jones organized and led a party, which
was supplying ammunition to the antiaircraft battery of the U.S.S. California
after the mechanical hoists were put out of action when he was fatally
wounded by a bomb explosion. When 2 men attempted to take him from the
area which was on fire, he refused to let them do so, saying in words
to the effect, "Leave me alone! I am done for. Get out of here before
the magazines go off."
JULIAN, JOSEPH RODOLPH
Rank and organization: Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 3 April 1918, Sturbridge, Mass. Accredited to: Massachusetts.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a P/Sgt.
serving with the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in
action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima
in the Volcano Islands, 9 March 1945. Determined to force a breakthrough
when Japanese troops occupying trenches and fortified positions on the
left front laid down a terrific machinegun and mortar barrage in a desperate
effort to halt his company's advance, P/Sgt. Julian quickly established
his platoon's guns in strategic supporting positions, and then, acting
on his own initiative, fearlessly moved forward to execute a 1-man assault
on the nearest pillbox. Advancing alone, he hurled deadly demolition
and white phosphorus grenades into the emplacement, killing 2 of the
enemy and driving the remaining 5 out into the adjoining trench system.
Seizing a discarded rifle, he jumped into the trench and dispatched
the 5 before they could make an escape. Intent on wiping out all resistance,
he obtained more explosives and, accompanied by another marine, again
charged the hostile fortifications and knocked out 2 more cave positions.
Immediately thereafter, he launched a bazooka attack unassisted, firing
4 rounds into the 1 remaining pillbox and completely destroying it before
he fell, mortally wounded by a vicious burst of enemy fire. Stouthearted
and indomitable, P/Sgt. Julian consistently disregarded all personal
danger and, by his bold decision, daring tactics, and relentless fighting
spirit during a critical phase of the battle, contributed materially
to the continued advance of his company and to the success of his division's
operations in the sustained drive toward the conquest of this fiercely
defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His outstanding valor and unfaltering
spirit of self-sacrifice throughout the bitter conflict sustained and
enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life for his country.
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