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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Staff Sergeant · U.S. Army

Junior James Spurrier

Staff Sergeant Junior James Spurrier, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 13, 1944 in Achain, France during World War II.

World War II November 13, 1944

Staff Sergeant Junior James Spurrier, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on November 13, 1944 in Achain, France during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company G, 134th Infantry, 35th Infantry Division. Spurrier was 21 years old.

Spurrier was born on December 14, 1922 in Russell County, Kentucky. His Medal of Honor is credited to Riggs, Kentucky. Spurrier died on February 25, 1984 in Limestone, Tennessee, at the age of 61. He is buried at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Spurrier is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 44 credited to Kentucky.

★ Against Enemy Armor

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy at Achain, France, on 13 November 1944. At 2:00 P.M., Company G attacked the village of Achain from the east. S/Sgt. Spurrier armed with a BAR passed around the village and advanced alone. Attacking from the west, he immediately killed three Germans. From this time until dark, S/Sgt. Spurrier, using at different times his BAR and M1 rifle, American and German rocket launchers, a German automatic pistol, and hand grenades, continued his solitary attack against the enemy regardless of all types of small-arms and automatic-weapon fire. As a result of his heroic actions he killed an officer and 24 enlisted men and captured two officers and two enlisted men. His valor has shed fresh honor on the U.S. Armed Forces.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II.

Places

  • Born: Russell County — map
  • Died: Tennessee — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Kentucky →

Timeline

  1. December 14, 1922
    Born in Russell County, Kentucky
  2. November 13, 1944
    Act of valor — Achain, France
    Age 21. Company G, 134th Infantry, 35th Infantry Division
  3. February 25, 1984
    Died in Limestone, Tennessee
    Age 61.
  4. Resting place
    Mountain Home National Cemetery
    Johnson City, Tennessee

Biography

Junior James Spurrier, born James Ira Spurrier Jr., was a United States Army soldier who received the United States' two highest military decorations for valor—the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross—for his heroic actions in World War II.

From the Wikipedia article “Junior J. Spurrier”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More World War II recipients from Kentucky

GC Garlin Murl Conner First Lieutenant · Army World War II · 1945 ✦ MC Morris E. Crain Technical Sergeant · Army World War II · 1945 ✦ WP Wesley P. Phelps Private · Marine Corps World War II · 1944 ✦ John C. Squires Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ Richard Earl Bush Corporal · Marine Corps World War II · 1945 Wilburn Kirby Ross Private · Army World War II · 1944
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.