FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes~ Junior James Spurrier ~ 31 August 2026

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Junior J. Spurrier

Info from here.

           

Junior James Spurrier, born James I. Spurrier, Jr., was a United States Army soldier who received America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II.

James I. Spurrier, Jr. was born on December 14, 1922, (died February 25, 1984) in Russell County, Kentucky. 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 November 13, 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 March 6, 1945 from Lt. Gen. William Hood Simpson.

Spurrier had a very turbulent life after the war. He had a severe problem with alcohol, was discharged from the Army in 1951, and served two jail sentences.

He is buried in Mountain Home National Cemetery, Johnson City, Tennessee.

On Dec. 02 2011, Spurrier's Medal Of Honor was returned to his family after being located by Chief Craig Corkrean, in a safe belonging to his father.

Staff Sergeant Spurrier's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

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 handgrenades, 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.

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport

[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero, Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Junior James Spurrier ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...glad you enjoyed.

Ready and rested for the new week of retirement?

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Got a space heater or two handy? Gonna be a bit nippy the next couple of nights, with frost advisories. BRRRRR Kinda early!

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

I imagine you’re enjoying to cooler weather you’ve had this week. Mind sharing a little with the rest of us? LOL

Hope you’ve had a good weekend.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[PROCON]

Hey radu!

We are cooling down, it was 45 degrees outside when I got up, almost turned the heat on!

Glad that it's cooling down, always enjoy Fall-ish weather after a hot summer!

Cooler weather will give us an opportunity to get back out and #PewPew too!

How's things your way, you able to do most of the physical tasks now that you're getting better?

[radu]

Oooo, that’s a heck of a cool-down! I’m ready for cooler weather but not lows quite THAT low. The heat would definitely be turned on.
You highs must be really nice though. Good pew-pew weather.

We’re heating up again this week and will stay that way for at least 10 days, darn it.

I’m able to do a lot more these days, but in small doses most of the time. My ankle lets me know if I overdo something. It’s going to be quite a while before it’s fully healed.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...did you get to rest today as mowing was caught up?

[radu]

I certainly did. Did next to nothing today. LOL I was on Champ longer than usual yesterday and the ol’ bum back has reminded me of that fact all day long.

[luvie]

Junior James Spurrier,
born James I. Spurrier, Jr.
...on December 14, 1922, Kentucky
d. February 25, 1984.
United States Army soldier
and Medal of Honor Recipient,
....for his actions in World War II.
What a brave man he was!

[PROCON]

Saw your ankle pictures, it just takes we old folks more time to heal, dang-nab-it!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Space heaters at the ready! Might also be time to get my winter blanket out and ready.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Did you have a nice nap this afternoon? Enjoy some yums at the potluck lunch?

[radu]

Purty, weren’t they? *shudder*
The ankle was a much more serious injury than the fractures and will take a long time to fully heal. At least it doesn’t hurt to walk on it.

I do heal fast, fortunately, and that’s a plus. The dr. was shocked that the fractures were healed when I went back for the check-up earlier this month.

[radu]

Very good! It sounds like you might need them. Those winter blankets too.

Hard to believe anyone’s thinking about heaters and blankets right now. LOL Our ACs are getting a workout.

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

Yes! Enjoyed lots of yums at the pot luck and had a 4-hour nap. I woke up feeling grrrrreat! Now I’m getting sleepy again.

Did you have a good day? Run errands? Mow? Chill? All of the above? LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Pro!!

1st!!