Service ID: 33299528

Unit: 413rd Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division

Rank: Private First Class U.S. Army

**** Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart ****

James V. Polio

HOME OF RECORD:

Hazelhurst, Pennsylvania

Distinguished Service Cross

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS

DURING World War II

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Division: 104th Infantry Division

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 18 (1945)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class James V. Polio (ASN: 33299528), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 28 November 1944, in Germany. On the afternoon of 28 November 1944, elements of the company to which Private Polio was assigned were advancing toward their objective when they were suddenly pinned to the ground by heavy machine gun and sniper fire from well-concealed enemy positions 300 yards to their immediate front. Private Polio, voluntarily and on his own initiative, crawled from his covered position and, at great risk to his life, advanced toward the enemy, exposing himself to the merciless fire in order to locate the enemy positions. After ascertaining the enemy's disposition and relaying this information to his company commander, he nevertheless continued to advance on the hostile positions in the face of intense fire, attacking and eliminating a machine gun nest with a rifle grenade. He then continued on into the enemy positions, using his rifle and hand grenades to wipe out a second machine gun nest before being killed by sniper fire. His heroic sacrifice undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades in the subsequent advance of the company. Private First Class Polio's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 104th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.