Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    242d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 20, 1945

    Headquarters, 42d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 47 (April 28, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) James G. Campbell (ASN: 0-452836), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 20 March 1945, near Ludwigswinkel, Germany. Lieutenant Campbell was leading his company in the attack upon the Siegfried Line when it became pinned down by intense enemy machine gun and mortar fire from a series of well-camouflaged and heavily-built pillboxes. Lying in a shallow ditch at the side of the road, and exposing himself to enemy machine gun and sniper fire and to enemy mortar concentrations, some of the rounds of which fell within fifteen feet of him, Lieutenant Campbell adjusted our artillery fire upon the enemy installations. Remaining at his hazardous observation post and drawing enemy fire, Lieutenant Campbell continued to direct our artillery upon targets of opportunity until his men were in position. His courageous action and accurate adjustment of fire were responsible for the neutralization of the enemy mortars and machine guns and became important factors in the subsequent breaching of the Siegfried Line.