Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then First Sergeant]

    Regiment:

    116th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    29th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 15, 1944

    Headquarters, 29th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 164 (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), [then First Sergeant] Dudley S. James (ASN: 0-1996531), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany. On 15 October 1944, during a coordinated tank-infantry attack, a tank received two direct hits, wounding its commander and setting his clothing aflame. Noting that the wounded man was having difficulty pulling himself from the turret, Lieutenant James rushed forward across two hundred yards of open terrain which was covered by intense enemy fire and pulled him from the flaming tank. After extinguishing the wounded man’s clothes, Lieutenant James carried him to a place of safety where medical treatment was administered. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.