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Kaiser, James Lawrence

    Date of birth:
    September 25th, 1915 (Oregon, United States)
    Service number:
    O-24085
    Nationality:
    American

    Biography

    01.07.1937: cadet
    11.06.1941: 2nd lieutenant
    02.06.1942: 1st lieutenant
    19.02.1943: captain
    07.02.1944: major
    22.12.1944: lieutenant-colonel

    James Kaiser graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1941. He retired in 1968 as a U.S. Army Colonel.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Major
    Unit:
    3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    July 20th, 1945
    Citation:
    "For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, on 3 January 1945, in Belgium. When an attack by his battalion on a strongly defended village threatened to bog down, Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Kaiser, with complete disregard for the hazard of withering fire and by personal aggressiveness, led the attack through eight hours of bitter fighting to successfully reach the Battalion's objective in an advance of 2,500 yards. As a result of the action, 150 enemy troops including a Battalion Commander and his entire Staff were captured together with a great deal of material. Lieutenant Colonel Kaiser's dominant display of inspirational leadership and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces. Entered military service from Missouri."

    Headquarters, XVI Corps, General Orders No. 55 (July 20, 1945).
    Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

    Royal Decree No.31, dated October 8th, 1945.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Lieutenant Colonel
    Unit:
    Commander, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    March 19th, 1945
    "For gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 22 December 1944, near ****, Belgium. When a company from his battalion was being attacked by a numerically superior force, Lieutenant Colonel Kaiser left his Command Post and proceeded to that sector. Going to each position, always under heavy mortar, artillery and small arms fire, he made sure that the men were in the most advantageous positions to withstand the fanatical enemy assaults. Suddenly perceiving enemy infantry attempting for the second time to cross the river, Lieutenant Colonel Kaiser instantly opened fire with his personal weapon and also directed the fire of the company. With utter disregard for his own safety, in the face of the enemy's terrific assault fire, Lieutenant Colonel Kaiser, from his exposed position, continued to pour fire into the enemy. By his gallantry, Lieutenant Colonel Kaiser inspired his men to even greater acts of courage. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces."

    HQ, 82d Airborne Division, G.O. No. 36 (19.03.1945).
    Silver Star Medal (SSM)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    with oak leaf cluster - OLC
    Purple Heart

    Sources

    Photos