Spurrier, Junior James

Date of birth:: December 14th, 1922 (Russell County/Virginia, United States)
Date of death:: February 25th, 1984 (Tennessee, United States)
Buried on:: Mountain Home National Cemetery
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Staff Sergeant
Unit:: Company G, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1944

By direction of the President and under the provisions of Sec. I, Cir. 32, Hq. ETO US Army, 20 Mar. 1944, as amended by Sec. I, Cir. 56, Hq. ETO US Army, 27 May 1944, a Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to: Staff Sergeant Junior J. Spurrier, 13018254, Company G, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. On the morning of 16 September 1944, Company G, 134th Infantry, was given the mission of taking a hill south of Lay St. Christopher, France. This hill was known to be a strong point, the enemy being firmly entrenched in dug-outs and trenches. As the company advanced in the attack, enemy machine-guns and other automatic weapons opened fire from the right flank. Sergeant Spurrier, Squad Leader, Company G, immediately mounted a nearby tank destroyer and manned its 50 caliber machine-gun. Advancing towards the enemy, he opened fire, killing and wounding many and causing the remainder to retreat to a dug-out. Sergeant Spurrier then jumped off of the vehicle, advanced on the dug-out, and, throwing several hand grenades into it, killed all of its occupants. He then remounted and cleaned out a second enemy dug-out in the same manner. Again remounting the tank destroyer in spite of heavy concentrations of enemy machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire, Sergeant Spurrier resumed his precarious position on the vehicle, firing the 50 caliber machine-gun. In all he took 22 prisoners before reaching the summit of the hill. The extraordinary courage displayed by Sergeant Spurrier; his outstanding heroism and supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 103 (1944).

Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Staff Sergeant
Unit:: Company G, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: March 15th, 1945

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy at Achain, France, on 13 November 1944. At 2 p.m., Company G attacked the village of Achain from the east. S/Sgt. Spurrier armed with a BAR passed around the village and advanced alone. Attacking from the west, he immediately killed 3 Germans. From this time until dark, S/Sgt. Spurrier, using at different times his BAR and Ml rifle, American and German rocket launchers, a German automatic pistol, and handgrenades, continued his solitary attack against the enemy regardless of all types of small-arms and automatic-weapons fire. As a result of his heroic actions he killed an officer and 24 enlisted men and captured 2 officers and 2 enlisted men. His valor has shed fresh honor on the U.S. Armed Forces."