James Thomas Podemski
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Marines
James Thomas Podemski enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on April 6, 1942. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant on December 30, 1942, assigned to the Third Battalion on the Seventh Marines (Reinforced) of the First Marine Division of the Fleet Marine Force.
He landed in Papua, New Guinea. Appointed First Lieutenant on December 20, 1943, and served as the company officer for Company K. He participated in the landing, assault, seizure, occupation, and defense of the beachhead on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. He participated in the capture of Hill 660 in January 1944. He was decorated with the Silver Star Medal at Cape Gloucester on January 14, 1944.
He joined Headquarters Company of the Third Battalion of the Seventh Marines in May 1944. Arrived in Pavuvu, Russell Island Group, British Solomons. His designation changed to the Third Battalion of the Seventh Marines of the First Marine Division. He participated in the assault landing on Peleliu Island in September 1944. Also participated in the assault landing and subsequent action against the enemy on Okinawa in April 1945.
Mr. Podemski was awarded the following: Silver Star Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was relieved from active duty on December 19,1945, at Marine Base, Quantico, Virginia.
The following states Mr., Podemski Citation for the Silver Star, in part:
".....Courageous and determined in the face of devastating machine gun fire from well-entrenched hostile emplacements, First Lieutenant Podemski fearlessly led his men through dense jungle undergrowth to the crest of Hill 660, a very exceptionally steep and heavily fortified position. Encountering intense opposition from a 20m.m. portable hostile field piece during the perilous advance, he so skillfully directed the mortar fire of his company that the stronghold was quickly neutralized and the hill secured for the further advance of our forces...."
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 254.
