James Matthew Vernon

Private James Matthew Vernon was killed in action on August 11, 1944 near Mortain, France during World War II.  He was 24 years old.

James Matthew Vernon was born on October 13, 1919 in Henderson, North Carolina, the son of Alford B. Vernon and Nellie Vernon.  Prior to induction into the U.S. Army, he worked as a twister in the Henderson Cotton Mill in Henderson, North Carolina.

Pvt Vernon was deployed to the European Theater of War serving in the First Battalion, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division.  The Regiment arrived in Liverpool, England on February  24, 1944 and crossed the  English Channel landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D+4, June 10, 1944.

The Regiment initially moved into a Staging Area near Lison, France.   The Regiment’s first casualities of World War II were suffered there as a result of German 88mm fire on the staging area. The 117th attacked across the Vire River along with the 120th Infantry on July 7, 1944, establishing a bridgehead toward Les Landes, east of St Jean-de-Day, which the 3rd Armored Division passed through to conduct exploitation operations.

The Regiment repulsed a major German counterattack conducted by the Panzer Lehr Division the night of July 7, 1944 and again during the morning of July 9, 1944. The Germans suffered heavy losses. As the 117th Infantry advanced on St Lo, as part of the 30th (US) Infantry Division, it checked a German counterattack along the main Hauts-Vents Highway July 11, 1944 and Pont Hebert fell after protracted fighting July 14, 1944. Patrols reached the Periers-St Lo Road by July 18, 1944.

The 117th attacked with the units to which they were attached on July 25, 1944 to drive beyond St. Lo during Operation COBRA, the operation that would create a channel through the German defensive line enabling U.S. forces to break out of Normandy and begin an advance across northern France. On July 26, 1944, the 117th Infantry Regiment took the high ground overlooking St. Lo. The Armor and Infantry Forces passed through the hole in the German defenses and advanced south.  The 30th Infantry Division had made a spectacular attack and opened the way for Patton's newly arrived Third Army to drive into Brittany and onward to Brest.

The division took well-defended Troisgots on July 31, 1944 and relieved the 1st Infantry Division near Mortain, On the morning of August 6, 1944, the  Regiment moved southwest to the vicinity of Bracy, France near Mortain to relieve the 26th Infantry and to take up defensive positions. At dusk, it was apparent the Germans were in the 1st Battalion’s area in strength.  On August 7, 1944 the 117th Infantry Regiment was attacked by crack troops of the 1st SS Adolph Hitler Division. Between midnight and 04:00 the Regiment was blanketed by intense and devastating mortar and artillery fire. Enemy aircraft strafed supporting Artillery units as they tried to register their fire on German tanks and infantry. The situation became critical at dawn when the main body of the Germans attacked in a thick fog and overran two company roadblocks. C Company of the 117th Infantry held their position, which caused the Germans to pause in their attack. Colonel Walter M. Johnson, the Regimental Commander issued orders to hold at all costs because there was nothing behind the 117th Infantry Regiment to stop the Germans from reaching the sea. A new defensive line was established on a sunken road bisected by the highway from Juvigny to Saint Barthelemy and situated on a hill overlooking Saint Barthelemy.  Cooks, clerks, messengers, and administrative personnel from the battalions and the Regimental Headquarters became riflemen. The Infantrymen held their positions against intense attacks by German Infantry and Armor. Late in the afternoon of August 8, 1944, the Germans launched a fresh large-scale attack employing numerous tanks and fresh Infantry. Despite the terrible odds, the 117th Infantry Regiment stopped the German assault.

The 117th Infantry Regiment went over to the offensive again August 11, 1944 and forced the Germans back to Mortain. Pvt Vernon was killed in the offensive on August 11, 1944 at Mortain.

Private James Matthew Vernon is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery at Saint James, Basse-Normandie. 

Last edited: 8 June 2026