James Daniel Urso
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 22 April 1945, then-Major James Daniel Urso was serving as Pilot of a P-61 Black Widow Night Fighter Plane in the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that date, MAJ Urso’s unit was in aerial combat against German forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. MAJ Urso’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

MAJ Urso survived an aircraft crash on 22 April 1945. He was seriously wounded on an armed recce mission from their base at Pontedera over the Po Valley in Italy.

Urso was credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II.

Medals, Awards and Badges

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

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) James D. Urso (ASN: 0-737904), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-61 Night Fighter Airplane in the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 22 April 1945, in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Major Urso's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 12th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 71 (1945)

Death and Burial

Lieutenant Colonel James Daniel Urso died on 6 July 2001. He is buried at the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Denver County, CO, in section 20, Site 66.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36119775/james-d-urso