James R. Dougherty, Jr.
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 7 October 1944, Second Lieutenant James R. Dougherty, Jr. was serving with Company B, 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, Seventh U.S. Army.

On that day, 2LT Dougherty's unit was in action against German forces after launching an attack on the Siegfried Line from Mariënberg, Netherlands. 2LT Dougherty' courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Second Lieutenant James R. Dougherty, Jr. (ASN: 0-1018417), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 82d Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 October 1944. Second Lieutenant Dougherty'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 2d Armored Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 577 (October 4, 1945)

Burial

Second Lieutenant James R. Dougherty, Jr. is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands in Plot O, Row 16, Grave 15.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56298286