*DIAMOND, JAMES H.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, Company D, 21st Infantry, 24th Infantry Division. Place and date:
Mintal, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, 814 May 1945. Entered service at: Gulfport,
Miss. Birth: New Orleans, La. G.O. No.: 23, 6 March 1946.
Citation:
As a member of the machinegun section, he displayed extreme gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty . When a Japanese sniper rose from his foxhole to throw
a grenade into their midst, this valiant soldier charged and killed the enemy with a burst
from his submachine gun; then, by delivering sustained fire from his personal arm and
simultaneously directing the fire of 105mm. and .50 caliber weapons upon the enemy
pillboxes immobilizing this and another machinegun section, he enabled them to put their
guns into action. When 2 infantry companies established a bridgehead, he voluntarily
assisted in evacuating the wounded under heavy fire; and then, securing an abandoned
vehicle, transported casualties to the rear through mortar and artillery fire so intense
as to render the vehicle inoperative and despite the fact he was suffering from a painful
wound. The following day he again volunteered, this time for the hazardous job of
repairing a bridge under heavy enemy fire. On 14 May 1945, when leading a patrol to
evacuate casualties from his battalion, which was cut off, he ran through a virtual hail
of Japanese fire to secure an abandoned machine gun. Though mortally wounded as he reached
the gun, he succeeded in drawing sufficient fire upon himself so that the remaining
members of the patrol could reach safety. Pfc. Diamond's indomitable spirit, constant
disregard of danger, and eagerness to assist his comrades, will ever remain a symbol of
selflessness and heroic sacrifice to those for whom he gave his life.
