Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company A, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation:
James A. Kiernan, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, as a platoon leader, Company A, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment on 6 April 1945, in Germany. First Lieutenant Kiernan displayed initiative, courage, and leadership during an assault on a fiercely defended enemy strongpoint. In addition to personally directing his men in the face of withering enemy fire, he assumed the duties of a rifleman on two different occasions, killing six and wounding many others of the enemy. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he exposed himself in the face of machine gun and heavy artillery fire to render first aid to his mortally wounded assistant platoon leader. First Lieutenant Kiernan was seriously wounded after his platoon had withdrawn in excellent order in the face of superior enemy forces, to new defensive positions. The aggressiveness, calmness, and foresight demonstrated by First Lieutenant Kiernan reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces.