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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army

James C. Dozier

First Lieutenant James C. Dozier, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on October 8, 1918 near Montbrehain, France during World War I.

World War I October 8, 1918

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant James C. Dozier received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 8, 1918 near Montbrehain, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company G, 118th Infantry, 30th Division. Dozier was 33 years old.

12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 21, 1919. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant General SCARNG.

Dozier was born on February 17, 1885 in Galivants Ferry, Horry County, South Carolina. His Medal of Honor is credited to Rock Hill, York County, South Carolina. Dozier died on October 24, 1974 in Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 89. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina. His medal is held by South Carolina Military Museum, Columbia, SC.

Dozier is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 33 credited to South Carolina.

★ Wounded but Fought On

Official Medal of Honor citation

In command of two platoons, 1st Lt. Dozier was painfully wounded in the shoulder early in the attack, but he continued to lead his men, displaying the highest bravery and skill. When his command was held up by heavy machine-gun fire, he disposed his men in the best cover available and with a soldier continued forward to attack a machine-gun nest. Creeping up to the position in the face of intense fire, he killed the entire crew with hand grenades and his pistol and a little later captured a number of Germans who had taken refuge in a dugout nearby.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and injuries

What the citation records about his wounds:

In command of two platoons, 1st Lt. Dozier was painfully wounded in the shoulder early in the attack, but he continued to lead his men, displaying the highest bravery and skill.
  • Age at death: 89
  • Resting place: Elmwood Cemetery

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, James C. Dozier received:

Purple HeartMilitary Cross

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II, World War I.

Places

  • Born: Galivants Ferry — map
  • Died: Columbia — map
  • Buried: Elmwood Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in South Carolina →

Timeline

  1. February 17, 1885
    Born in Galivants Ferry, Horry County, South Carolina
  2. October 8, 1918
    Act of valor — near Montbrehain, France
    Age 33. Company G, 118th Infantry, 30th Division
  3. January 21, 1919
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. October 24, 1974
    Died in Columbia, South Carolina
    Age 89.
  5. Resting place
    Elmwood Cemetery
    Columbia, South Carolina

Biography

James Cordie Dozier (February 17, 1885 – October 24, 1974) was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for heroism on October 8, 1918, during World War I.

From the Wikipedia article “James C. Dozier”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on October 8, 1918

Johannes Seigfried Anderson First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 Henry G. Costin Private · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ GF Gary Evans Foster Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 EG Earl D. Gregory Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 TH Thomas Lee Hall Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ JK James Ernest Karnes Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 PR Patrick J. Regan Second Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 SS Samuel Major Sampler Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 Clayton Kirk Slack Private · Army World War I · 1918 Harold Leo Turner Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 CW Calvin John Ward Private · Army World War I · 1918 Alvin Cullium York Corporal · Army World War I · 1918

More World War I recipients from South Carolina

JH James Davidson Heriot Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ JV John Cantey Villepigue Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 Daniel Augustus joseph Sullivan Ensign · Navy World War I · 1918 FS Freddie Stowers Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ RH Richmond Hobson Hilton Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.