By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant James A. St. John (ASN: 550266), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant St. John distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Fismes, France, 5 to 9 August 1918, while in command of a platoon on the Vesle River.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
SergeantRegiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
August 5 – 10, 1918
Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant James A. St. John (ASN: 550266), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company D, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Sergeant St. John commanded the 4th Platoon on the Vesle River near Fismes, France, from 5 to 10 August 1918. He was on duty constantly day and night as his duty required that he move from one part of the line to the edge of the river in order to protect the bridge. He was constantly under shell and machine gun fire and remained awake and on his post for four days and four nights. On the night of 7 August 1918, he successfully commanded two automatic rifle teams and two rifle squads in protecting and assisting the Engineers to bridge the River Vesle. This was done under heavy machine gun and rifle fire.