70 Years Later: WWII Army Veteran Finally Gets Bronze Star for Combat Bravery, Thanks to Efforts of His Soldier Grandson Who Is Stationed at Fort Rucker
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on July 27, 2011
A hero is always a hero, even seven decades after his acts of heroism.
Best thumbs-up story of the day — God bless persevering grandsons who love and honor their grandfathers. And God bless all the men and women like James Cockerham, who have been willing since our nation’s beginnings to commit to service and protection, to make the ultimate sacrifice, who are willing to give their lives for America.
Bless you all and thank you for your past and present service to our nation.
Reported at Military.com — Vet Awarded Bronze Star for WWII Combat:
FORT RUCKER, Ala. — Army Staff Sgt. James Cockerham’s 19th birthday marked the first of at least three times when he could have lost his life.
But on Tuesday, more than 70 years after combat in World War II, the Army veteran received an honor for his bravery and his service.
Cockerham, of North Carolina, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal at Adams Hall on Fort Rucker for his “meritorious achievement … in France in the Spring of 1945 in … active ground combat while assisting the division in holding the German Army to the St. Nazaire and Lorient Pockets,” according to his certificate. Cockerham served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 263d Infantry Regiment, 66th Infantry Division (Black Panthers).
Fort Rucker Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Anthony Crutchfield, presented the medal to Cockerham.
According to Crutchfield, the troop ship in which Cockerham was traveling to England from New York for service in World War II was torpedoed by German forces on Cockerham’s 19th birthday.
While the Soldier was not hurt, Crutchfield said Cockerham boarded another troop ship headed toward France when the ship was hit by another torpedo on Christmas Eve in 1944, killing 800 Soldiers.
Cockerham survived and still joined his unit to face enemy forces.
He retired as a staff sergeant in 1947, Crutchfield said.
“Life goes on, and it’s because of men like (Cockerham). This is a great honor for me to let others know what you have done for our country. You paved the way for people just like me,” Crutchfield said.
Cockerham said he wasn’t afraid when duty called. Nor did he turn back after the first two attacks.
“I was so young. When you’re real young you’re not afraid, but as you get older, the more scared you get,” he said.
Cockerham’s grandson, Kevin Riley, is currently stationed at Fort Rucker and spearheaded efforts for his grandfather to receive the award.
“I had heard the Bronze Star had been authorized for World War II. The first time I attempted to get him the honor, things fell through because the archives were burned in the 70s and his copy of what he needed had been stolen in a home invasion. We were able to use photocopies this time and figured this was the perfect time for him to receive the award,” Riley said.
“This is his first visit in 67 years to Fort Rucker.”
Background on the bronze star:
The Bronze Star Medal (or BSM) is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations. Officers from the other federal uniformed services are also eligible to receive the award if they are militarized or detailed to serve with a service branch of the armed forces.
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My father-in-law just received his in December, 2010! His son, my husband’s brother, was doing some research and found out his dad was eligible and went to work to get it awarded. Turns out the notification had been sent to him, but he had already moved from the last address the military had on record for him!
So, all these years later, he finally has his star to go with his purple hearts. He is 93 and still doing well. Will not speak of his time in WWII.
But he was proud to receive the star, and we are so proud of my brother-in-law for pursuing it for him.
I’m glad to see other young people taking pride in the honor of their elders, and that some of those veterans are still with us. We are starting to lose them so fast and it is very sad…
Congratulations to your father-in-in-law for his bronze star, Marilyn! You’re so right. These WWII heroes are leaving us at an accelerated speed, so any who should be honored for their brave service need to be honored soon.
While most veterans will say getting an award doesn’t matter to them, they didn’t act courageously because of some “dumb award,” I believe deep down inside, it DOES matter somewhat to them. They’re just being humble and stoic (as usual for most vets). I think it is also of great importance to younger veterans, most of whom are protective and respectful of the “old war horses”. It also matters to their families.
God bless our military vets.
This article caught my eye while trying to Honor my 92year young veteran . Uncle Jack was Army and part of second world war . Humble and proud to have served his country. He was a prison guard for the Nuremberg trial prisoners.
question how to go about this.. Thank you .
Check out http://www.amervets.com/bsmedl.htm – this site has information and an application form for the Bronze Star. You should also call your local veterans association for information.