Pirtle, James J.

First Lieutenant, 59th Infantry, 4th Division

    Distinguished Service Cross. General Orders No. 126, War Department, 1919: In the Bois de Fays, France, October 4-5, 1918. Throughout the engagement in the Bois de Fays Lieutenant Pirtle led his men with absolute disregard for his personal safety. He walked up and down the lines under intense enemy machine gun and artillery fire, encouraging his men and consolidating his position. His courageous example contributed greatly to the success of the operation in which his organization was engaged. He continued in action until severely wounded in the knee and was carried from the field.

    Record. Born July 12, 1896, Carlisle; son of George Wylie and Elizabeth (Julian) Pirtle. Student, Carlisle. Entered service August 15, 1917, Fort Benjamin Harrison. Training: Gettysburg, PA; Camp Green, N. C.; Gravesend Bay, N. Y. Graduate, Infantry School Company Officers' Course, 1927. Second lieutenant, Infantry Section, Officers' Reserve Corps, August 15, 1917; first lieutenant, Infantry, U. S. Army, September 21, 1918; first lieutenant, Regular Army, October 6, 1919; captain, Field Artillery, July 1, 1920; transferred to Infantry, May 25, 1921.Assigned during war period to 59th Infantry. Overseas May 5, 1918 - February 16, 1919. Battles: Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne. Wounded October 6, 1918, Bois de Fays. Still in service.

     Bloomington.