Date of birth:

July 21st, 1921 (Alton-Madison County/Illinois, United States)

Date of death:

October 7th, 1994 (Saint Joseph-Buchanan County/Missouri, United States)

Nationality:

American

Servicenumber 19122460.

James Edward McLain was born on July 21st, 1921 as the first son to Edna Lenore Fowler and Edward James McLain. He was raised in Los Angeles and later moved to Hauser, Oregon.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 23rd, 1942 and was incorporated with a Company A within the 101st Airborne Division. At the end or shortly after the end of the Second World War he transferred to 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment within the 82nd Airborne Division, with which he took part in the occupation forces in Germany, before he was honorably discharged of service. He finally reached the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He was also entitled to wear the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon with oak leaf cluster.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation:
"While serving with the Army of the United States distinguished himself by heroic achievement in action on *** he volunteered to act as lead scout during an attack across the *** River in ***. While advancing through a wooded area, Private First Class McLain encountered several enemy riflemen. Rather than wait for the company lines to reach him, thereby delaying the advance, alone he engaged the enemy troops and disposed of the entire enemy group. While crossing a railroad track which was under enemy observation, he discovered a machine gun preparing to fire on friendly forces. After informing his platoon, which deployed accordingly, Private First Class McLain crossed the railroad track alone and fired a rifle grenade into the enemy emplacement, thereby enabling the platoon to follow up this action and capture the enemy soldiers. Through his courage and devotion to duty, Private First Class McLain permitted his unit to continue their attach as planned without the loss of a single man. His actions were in accordance with the highest standard of the military service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Telegram recieved: Private First Class James E McLain had been seriously wounded in action in Holland.
The telegram gave no detail of his wounds. But later was discovered he had been shot twice in the leg, for which he recieved the Purple Heart.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Second Purple Heart received in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first Purple Heart.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Wanda McLain
• - Unclassified citation text BSM
  - Telegramm about receiving wound
  - Find a Grave