Montague, James Lewis
Title
Montague, James Lewis
Last Name
Montague
First and Middle Name
James Lewis
Nicknames or Other Names
"Monty"
Hometown
Christiansburg, Virginia
County and/or State
Montgomery County, Virginia
Birth Date
July 6, 1893
Birthplace
Christiansburg, Virginia
Death Date
September 30 1987
Place of Death
He is buried at Arlington National Cemetary
Parents
William Cave Montague
Kitty Clyde Charlton Montague
Kitty Clyde Charlton Montague
Siblings
Daniel Junkin Montague
Spouse(s)
Lydda Grubbs Montague
Children
Willjohn G Montague (KIA 8 OCT 1944)
Daniel Junkin Montague
Daniel Junkin Montague
VPI Graduating Class
VPI Class of 1915
Undergraduate Major
Agriculture
Service Branch
Army
Unit
319th Infantry, 80th Division
Rank
Lt. Colonel
Retired Rank
Lt. Colonel
Decorations or Citations
Cited by Commander-in-Cheif
Cited by Division Commander
Letter of Commendation from Major General Adelbert Cronkhite
Letter of Appreciation from Brigade Commander
Reccomended for Distinguished Service Medal
The above citations were taken from pgs. 114-115, Virginians of Distinguished Service of the World War, published by the Virginia War History Commission, 1923
- Citation: "For exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous services as Battalion Commander, 319th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, in testimony theof as an expression of appreciation of these services I award him this citation. Awarded on 19th April, 1919." (signed) John J Perhsping, Commander-in-Cheif
- Mort Homme Sector, September 26, 1918
- Citation: "For meritorious services and extrodinary gallantry in action, the Brigade Commander desires to cite officially the following named officers and men of his command.
- Major Hugh H. Obear, 319th Infantry
- Major James L. Montague, 319th Infantry
- Captain Gerald Egan, 319th Infantry
- The officers above named commanded the three battalions of the 319th Infantry during the advance from MOrt Homme to the army objective on September 26, 1918. The sector of the Army objective assigned to the 319th Infantry was so long that it necessitated placing all three battalions on that line, each organized in depth. It was due entirely to the exceptionally able performance of duty on the part of the three battalion commanders named that the army objective on the front was captured on September 26th and held until the entire 80th Division was relieved and orderd to another sector." By command of Brigadier General Brett (signed) William C. Vandewater, Captain Infantry, Adjutnat
Cited by Division Commander
- Bois des Ogons, October 5, 1918
- Citation: "For the spirit, determination and courage displayed on the night of October 5, 1918 in leading his battalion agains the Bois des Ogons, from which our troops had been already twice repulsed, and the troops serving under him for the display of like qualities in retaking and finally holding the line, after the battalion had once been driven back."
Letter of Commendation from Major General Adelbert Cronkhite
- Letter: "The Division Commander whishes to express his great appreciation of the highly imporant successes gained by General Jamerson's 159th Brigade and Major Montague's attached Battalion of the 319th Infantry. Continually under effective artillery fire on your flank, as well as machine gun fire from your front and flanks, you nevertheless returned again and again to attack until your objective was gained and held. Your successes have earned the repeated congradulations of your corps commander as well as the thanks of your country." P.C., 159th Brigade, 8 October 1918
Letter of Appreciation from Brigade Commander
- Letter: "The Brigade Commander desires to add to the above his expression of appreciation of the work accomplished by the Brigade and Major Montague's Battalion, 319th Infantry during the three days fighting for the Bois des Ogons and his pride in the command of an organization possessed of that iron will and determination which alone could win success in face of such odds." G. H. Jamerson, Brigader General Commanding
Reccomended for Distinguished Service Medal
- Reccomendation: "In the attack on the Bois des Ogons on October 4, 1918, Major Montague commanded his battalion in the most effective manner, fearlessly exposing himself in rallying temporarily disorganized troops. Again in the attack of November 1, north of Immecourt, Major Montague commanded the assault battalion of this regiment. The assaulting companies became separated from the two supporting companies. Major Montague went forward, filled in the gap with a few men, and drove back the Germans who were infitrating between the lines with utter diregard of any idea of personal saftey." (Signed) James M. Love, Jr., Colonel, 319th Infantry. Approved by L. M. Brett, Brigadier General Commanding
The above citations were taken from pgs. 114-115, Virginians of Distinguished Service of the World War, published by the Virginia War History Commission, 1923
Files
Collection
Citation
“Montague, James Lewis,” VPI in World War I, accessed April 19, 2024, http://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/items/show/175.
Comments (if you have information about a veteran or would like to talk about a veteran, also email the project director Daniel Newcomb at danieln1@vt.edu with your information or question)