James F. McMurtrey
Private First Class, U.S. Army

In the fall of 1944, Private First Class James F. McMurtrey was serving with the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division ('Hell on Wheels'). The 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion, a light striking force, was known as the "eyes and ears" of the 2nd Armored Division.

On 16 December 1944, a major German offensive campaign was launched through the densely-forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg on the Western Front. The surprise attack caught the Allied forces completely off guard. This offensive was usually referred to as "Ardennenoffensive" by the Germans; the French called it Bataille des Ardennes ("Battle of the Ardennes"); and the Allies called it the Ardennes Counteroffensive. The phrase "Battle of the Bulge" was coined by contemporary press to describe the way the Allied front line bulged inward on wartime news maps and it became the most widely used name for the battle.

During the first phase of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion, less one company and two platoons, was attached to Combat Command "A." One company of the Battalion was with Combat Command "B." In the second phase of the battle in the Ardennes, the Battalion was attached to Combat Command "A" and made contact with the Third Army sealing the "Bulge" near Houffalize.

By the morning of 24 December 1944, most of the Battalion had closed in the Havelange area and was given the mission of establishing road blocks and screening the Division while it moved into attack positions near Ciney. On Christmas morning the attack was launched. The 82d covered the west flank. As the main attack moved across the open ground and patches of woods towards Celles, "A" Troop moved a platoon into what appeared to be a peaceful, sleepy rural village, Foy Notre-Dame, on CCB's right flank. However, the major portion of the German 2d Reconnaissance Battalion of the 2d Panzer Division occupied well concealed positions in the town supported by four Mark V tanks on the high ground just south of the town. As the 'A' Troop platoon moved into the town there were several casualties. An assault gun charged an enemy anti-tank gun In the main street and overran it which was a big factor in overcoming the resistance. Artillery support was given by a British unit and air support from P-38's dealt with the Panther tanks that were dominating the battle field from the high ground to the south. By nightfall, after a considerable fight in which "B" Troop gave assistance, the fiercely burning town was in the 82d Battalion's hands.

One hundred forty-eight prisoners of the German 2d Reconnaissance Battalion were taken, including the Battalion Commander; tremendous numbers of vehicles and weapons were also captured. The 82d Battalion thus got credit for 'eliminating' its German counterpart.

The next few days were spent in mopping up the point of the German thrust with the Battalion continuing to screen the right flank with little resistance.

On 1 January 1945, the 2nd Armored Division was sent 20 miles to east to assemble and attack south towards Bastogne to break the backbone of the now halted "Bulge" and restore the Allied lines. This led to 15 days of hard, bitter, fighting under conditions of extreme cold, snow and wind. The 82d Battalion was considered, and employed, as an Infantry Battalion during this period. The tanks were primarily used for the supply and evacuation of dismounted troopers in difficult situations.

The greatest number of casualties came from the weather, for the troops were not equipped for this cold. Blankets were cut up and wrapped around trooper's feet to prevent frostbite. Although it was very difficult to get even one hot meal a day to the exposed men, it was done.

While fighting during these very difficult conditions, Private First Class James F. McMurtrey was Killed in Action on 6 January 1945.

Remarks About the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion

In a Foreword to the History of the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion dated 15 May 1954, Major General Leander LaChance Doan [Honoree Record ID 308816], Commanding General, 2nd Armored Division, wrote the following:

The Reconnaissance Battalion is the eyes and ears of the Armored Division. The types of missions assigned demand the brightest order of coordinated action for successful accomplishments. Aggressive independent action over wide areas challenges the military capabilities of the individual to a greater degree than any other type of unit.

The 82d Reconnaissance Battalion has earned an enviable record by accomplishment of its assigned missions from North Africa to Sicily, to campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland, and central Europe. This history attests the great contribution made by the 82d Reconnaissance Battalion to the successful campaigns of the 2d Armored Division.

Medals and Awards

Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Burial

Private First Class James F. McMurtrey is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium, in Plot F, Row 15, Grave 43.

John Verschueren, Alphen, the Netherlands, adopted the grave of PFC McMurtrey and is seeking personal information on him and his life. Any information can be provided to info@militaryhallofhonor.com and it will be forwarded to Mr. Verschueren. The information will also be added to PFC McMurtrey's honoree record and credited to the person(s) submitting the data.

[The information pertaining to the History of the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion was provided by the Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library at http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll8/id/3716.]