James E. Radcliff was born on December 14, 1919 to James and Della Beck Radcliff Sr.,  in Atglen Pennsylvania, just west of Parkesburg.  He was one of three children including brothers Joseph, Haines, “Roxy” and sister Bessie. His father worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and consequently moved often. He moved his family to Atglen, from Ohio.

James attended schools in Atglen and Parkesburg.   Parkesburg Public School, was then located on Strasburg Ave., today the Parkesburg School Apts.   His English teacher at Parkesburg, Dorothy Martin (Aunt of Hero Robert Montgomery) remembers James as a very likable student, one who with a great personality; who stood out in a crowd.

His family later moved to Columbia, Pennsylvania and then in March 1937 to Tyrone, Pennsylvania, in the western part of the state.  James graduated from Tyrone High School in June 1936.   He returned east and attended Millersville State Teachers College in September 1936, enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Education program. James completed his first year, and then he returned to Parkesburg residing with his mother at 400 1^st Ave.  James obtained employment with Lukens Steel in Coatesville, and married Jeanne Cook.

James enlisted in the Army in October 1941.  After basic training and Infantry OCS (Officers Training School) at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to Company F, 390th Infantry Regiment the 98^th Infantry Division. The 98^th Division participated in the Tennessee Maneuvers in the fall of 1943.  Then they were briefly stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama, before being sent to the Pacific Theater in April 1944 to be stationed in Hawaii.  There the 98th trained and planned for the invasion of the Japanese homeland, specifically their target was the Osaka area of Kyushu. When Japan surrendered they were sent to occupy the Osaka area in September 1945.

James was discharged in May 1946 with a terminal leave promotion to Captain. He and his wife purchased a home in Parkesburg with his sister and brother-in-law.

James was a member of the Keystone Lodge F & A. M. #569 and the Haubert-Paul Post No. 431 of the American Legion. He was a member of the Parkesburg Presbyterian church on West Main St., where he served as President to the Choir, and a member of the Board of Trustees.

In September 1948 he returned to active duty from the Army Reserve with his old rank of 1^st Lieutenant. He was assigned to Fort Holabird, Maryland where he attended CIC (Counter Intelligence Corps), he was then detailed to Special Services.  With the outbreak of war in Korea, James requested return to the Infantry and was flown from Lancaster Airport on August 7, 1950, to Korea.  He was attached to Company E, 7th Regiment, 1^st Calvary Division. His unit saw intense action, slowing down the enemy advance while our troops were being built up around Pusan.

James volunteered for patrols 21 days in row.  As he returned from what was to be his last patrol, he was severely wounded, receiving multiple wounds in his abdomen from an enemy machine gun. James was Wounded In Action on September 19^th and evacuated to a Tokyo General hospital in Japan.  In the hospital, he was recovering, but fell out of bed, re-injuring his wounds. He died from his wounds on October 4, 1950.

James was returned to his home country on October 7th for burial. A viewing was held on Tuesday with services conducted by the Keystone Lodge. The funeral Services was held on Wednesday October 11 at the Wilde funeral home in Parkesburg. An honor guard was provided by both the Haubert-Paul American Legion Post, and the Robert Montgomery Post of the VFW. Burial was at Penningtonville Presbyterian Cemetery, in Atglen on old Rt. 41.

James's wife Jeanne had returned to live with her mother-in-law in Lancaster while James was overseas.  They lived in an apartment above their Pet Shop at 107 West King St. They had 2 daughters, Phyllis and Robin, 20 months and 4 years old at the time of James death.

   James was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, as well as the Purple Heart.  The citation for the Bronze Star is as follows:

“Learning that friendly forces were in need of intelligence information. Lt. Radcliff volunteered to lead a reconnaissance patrol across the Naktong River for the purpose of observing enemy movements and capturing prisoners.

 Lt. Radcliff lead his men so skillfully and courageously that they penetrated a mile and a half behind enemy lines.  Here, Lt. Radcliff, with three of his men, captured three of the enemy and observed the disposition of enemy forces.

 Returning to friendly lines the patrol captured another enemy soldier before re-crossing the river to safety.  By his aggressive leadership and fearless disregard of personal safety. Lt. Radcliff accomplished a valuable mission and returned with the needed intelligence data.

 His heroism reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.”