Medal of Honor: James H. Fields, World War II, September 27, 1944

Name: James H. Fields
Rank: First Lieutenant
War: World War II
Date of Action: September 27, 1944
Unit: 10th Armored Infantry, 4th Armored Division
Accredited to: Houston, Texas

Summary of Action
At Rechicourt, France, during a brutal clash with enemy infantry and tanks, Fields led his battered platoon in a counterattack. When one of his men was wounded, he left cover to render aid, only to be grievously wounded himself—shell fragments ripped through his face and head, leaving him unable to speak. Refusing evacuation, Fields continued to command with hand signals. Spotting two enemy machine guns pinning down his men, he seized a light machine gun from a fallen crew, charging forward and firing from the hip until both enemy nests were silenced. His fearless example electrified his platoon, who redoubled their fire and pushed forward. Even when finally evacuated, Fields refused to leave before sketching enemy positions for his battalion commander. His courage and refusal to yield turned the tide of the battle, securing victory and inspiring all who fought beside him.

Medal of Honor Citation
FIELDS, JAMES H.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 10th Armored Infantry, 4th Armored Division. Place and date: Rechicourt, France, 27 September 1944. Entered service at: Houston, Tex. Birth: Caddo, Tex. G.O. No.: 13, 27 February 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, at Rechicourt, France. On 27 September 1944, during a sharp action with the enemy infantry and tank forces, 1st Lt. Fields personally led his platoon in a counterattack on the enemy position. Although his platoon had been seriously depleted, the zeal and fervor of his leadership was such as to inspire his small force to accomplish their mission in the face of overwhelming enemy opposition. Seeing that 1 of the men had been wounded, he left his slit trench and with complete disregard for his personal safety attended the wounded man and administered first aid. While returning to his slit trench he was seriously wounded by a shell burst, the fragments of which cut through his face and head, tearing his teeth, gums, and nasal passage. Although rendered speechless by his wounds, 1st Lt. Fields refused to be evacuated and continued to lead his platoon by the use of hand signals. On 1 occasion, when 2 enemy machineguns had a portion of his unit under deadly crossfire, he left his hole, wounded as he was, ran to a light machinegun, whose crew had been knocked out, picked up the gun, and fired it from his hip with such deadly accuracy that both the enemy gun positions were silenced. His action so impressed his men that they found new courage to take up the fire fight, increasing their firepower, and exposing themselves more than ever to harass the enemy with additional bazooka and machinegun fire. Only when his objective had been taken and the enemy scattered did 1st Lt. Fields consent to be evacuated to the battalion command post. At this point he refused to move further back until he had explained to his battalion commander by drawing on paper the position of his men and the disposition of the enemy forces. The dauntless and gallant heroism displayed by 1st Lt. Fields were largely responsible for the repulse of the enemy forces and contributed in a large measure to the successful capture of his battalion objective during this action. His eagerness and determination to close with the enemy and to destroy him was an inspiration to the entire command, and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.