Junior James Spurrier

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Staff Sergeant Junior James Spurrier was born James I. Spurrier, Jr. (14 December 1922 - 25 February 1984). He was a U.S. Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during World War II.

James I. Spurrier, Jr. was born on 14 December 1922 in Castlewood, VA. In September 1940, he enlisted in the Army. Spurrier filled his name in the wrong blanks, so he became "Junior J. Spurrier" to the Army. Near Lay St. Christopher, France, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross. He had spearheaded an assault on a stubbornly defended hill position. On a tank destroyer, he used a .50-caliber machine gun to kill over 12 Germans and captured 22 others. He climbed down to personally blow up bunkers with rifle fire and grenades.

On 13 November 1944, while serving as a Staff Sergeant with Company G, 134th Infantry, 35th Infantry Division, Spurrier fought Germans in Achain, Moselle, France. Repeatedly, Spurrier wandered into the command post with prisoners, replenished his ammo, then slipped out the door. Junior J. Spurrier earned the Medal of Honor for nearly single-handedly capturing the village of Achain that day. He received the Medal of Honor on 6 March 1945 from Lt. Gen. William Hood Simpson.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company G, 134th Infantry, 35th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Achain, France, 13 November 1944.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at 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 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 3 Germans. From this time until dark, S/Sgt. Spurrier, using at different times his BAR and Ml 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-weapons fire. As a result of his heroic actions he killed an officer and 24 enlisted men and captured 2 officers and 2 enlisted men. His valor has shed fresh honor on the U.S. Armed Forces.

Spurrier had a very turbulent life after the war. He had a severe problem with alcohol and served two jail sentences.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross

Death and Burial

Staff Sergeant Spurrier died on 25 February 1984. He is buried at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, TN.