James M. Logan

Who was James M. Logan?

James Marion Logan was an American and former National Guard soldier who was a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Logan joined the Texas National Guard from Luling, Texas in 1936, at the age of 15. By September 9, 1943 he was serving as a Sergeant in the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. On that day, he participated in the Allied landings near Salerno, Italy. Logan single-handedly captured a German machine gun emplacement and later killed an enemy sniper. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on July 5, 1944.

Logan reached the rank of technical sergeant before leaving the Army in March and then National Guard in May 1945. He died at age 78 and was buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas. He was posthumously awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on May 30, 1997.