James W. Reese-Chester, PA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 51.588 W 075° 22.116
18S E 468472 N 4412261
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action at Mt. Vassillio, Sicily on August 5, 1943. He was killed in action. He is buried in Chester Rural Cemetery, Chester, PA in Soldiers Circle, Row 65, Grave 2.
Waymark Code: WMX7AG
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 12/07/2017
Views: 1
He was born on April 16, 1920 in Chester PA and died on August 5, 1943 in Italy.
His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *REESE, JAMES W.
• Rank and organization. Private, U.S. Army, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
• Place and date. At Mt. Vassillio, Sicily, 5 August 1943
• Entered service at: Chester, Pa.
• G.O. No.: 85, 17 December 1943
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life. above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict with the enemy. When the enemy launched a counterattack which threatened the position of his company, Pvt. Reese, as the acting squad leader of a 60-mm. mortar squad, displaying superior leadership on his own initiative, maneuvered his squad forward to a favorable position, from which, by skillfully directing the fire of his weapon, he caused many casualties in the enemy ranks, and aided materially in repulsing the counterattack. When the enemy fire became so severe as to make his position untenable, he ordered the other members of his squad to withdraw to a safer position, but declined to seek safety for himself. So as to bring more effective fire upon the enemy, Pvt. Reese, without assistance, moved his mortar to a new position and attacked an enemy machinegun nest. He had only 3 rounds of ammunition but secured a direct hit with his last round, completely destroying the nest and killing the occupants. Ammunition being exhausted, he abandoned the mortar. seized a rifle and continued to advance, moving into an exposed position overlooking the enemy. Despite a heavy concentration of machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire, the heaviest experienced by his unit throughout the entire Sicilian campaign, he remained at this position and continued to inflict casualties upon the enemy until he was killed. His bravery, coupled with his gallant and unswerving determination to close with the enemy, regardless of consequences and obstacles which he faced, are a priceless inspiration to our armed forces.
Armed Service: Army
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