Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company D, 760th Tank Battalion, 88th Infantry Division "Fighting Blue Devils", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1944

First Lieutenant James W. De Right (then Second Lieutenant), O-1016188, Infantry, 760th Tank Battalion. On 19 March 1944, near Cassino, Italy, Lieutenant De Right took a light tank forward to evacuate wounded men from a disabled tank which had become immobilized by the rocky terrain. He volunteered to go on this rescue mission although the area which he had to traverse in order to reach the disabled tank was under heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire. By his courageous action Lieutenant De Right succeeded in safety evacuating two members of the tank crew who had been wounded. The unhesitating risk of his own life in going to the aid of his two wounded fellow soldiers typifies the finest traditions of the United States Army. Entered service from Detroit, Michigan.

Headquarters 88th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 28 (9 June 1944).