Medal of Honor: James H. Diamond - World War II - May 8-14, 1945

Name: James H. Diamond
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company D, 21st Infantry, 24th Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 8-14, 1945
Location: Mintal, Mindanao, Philippine Islands

Summary of Action

During fierce fighting on Mindanao in May 1945, Private First Class James H. Diamond displayed extraordinary heroism over several days of brutal combat against entrenched Japanese forces.

Serving in a machine-gun section, Diamond first distinguished himself when a Japanese sniper suddenly rose from concealment and attempted to throw a grenade into the American position.

Without hesitation, Diamond charged the enemy soldier and killed him with a burst from his submachine gun.

As Japanese pillboxes pinned down two American machine-gun sections, Diamond delivered sustained fire with his personal weapon while simultaneously directing devastating .50 caliber and 105mm fire against the enemy strongpoints.

His actions enabled the stalled machine-gun crews to bring their weapons into action.

Later, after American infantry companies secured a bridgehead, Diamond voluntarily moved through heavy enemy fire to evacuate wounded soldiers.

Finding an abandoned vehicle, he used it to transport casualties to the rear despite intense mortar and artillery fire that eventually disabled the vehicle itself.

He continued the mission even though he had already been wounded.

The following day, he again volunteered — this time to help repair a damaged bridge under direct enemy fire.

On 14 May 1945, Diamond joined a patrol sent to evacuate soldiers from a battalion that had become cut off.

During the mission, he spotted an abandoned machine gun lying in an exposed area swept by Japanese fire.

Knowing the danger, Diamond ran forward through the storm of bullets to retrieve the weapon.

As he reached the gun, he was mortally wounded.

But by drawing enemy fire onto himself, he gave the rest of the patrol time to escape to safety.

His courage, sacrifice, and devotion to his comrades reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

DIAMOND, JAMES H.

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.