James C. Dozier
| James C. Dozier | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | "Mr. National Guard" |
| Born |
February 17, 1885 Galivants Ferry, South Carolina |
| Died | October 24, 1974 (aged 89) Columbia, South Carolina |
| Buried | Elmwood Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army S.C. National Guard
|
| Years of service | 1904 - 1959 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant General
|
| Unit | 118th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
James Cordie Dozier (February 17, 1885–October 24, 1974) a native of South Carolina was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for heroism on October 8, 1918 during World War I.
Dozier was born on February 17, 1885, at Galivants Ferry in Horry County. The descendant of a long line of Palmetto State Citizen-Soldiers who had served from the American Revolution, through the Spanish–American War, Dozier began his military career with Company H, 118th Infantry Regiment on September 3, 1904.
In August 1916, Dozier was sent with the 118th Infantry Regiment to El Paso, TX. There, they joined Brig. Gen. John J. “Blackjack” Pershing’s Punitive Expedition to protect U.S. border towns from Mexican General Pancho Villa’s forces. Company H returned home to S.C. in December. Four months later on April 16, 1917 Dozier’s unit was activated for World War I. While training at Camp Sevier (near Greenville), over the next several months, Dozier was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in July and 1st Lt. in November. His unit boarded a ship bound for France on May 11, 1918. Provided by: Maj. Scott Bell, S.C. National Guard Historian
Between May and September 1918, the 118th Infantry Regiment trained and moved through the allied lines to become the first American force to face Germany’s “impregnable” Hindenburg Line on September 27. Over the next month, the regiment advanced through 18,000 yards of enemy territory, 15,000 yards of which was made while the regiment was in the front line spearheading numerous attacks. However, it was at Montbrehain on October 8, Dozier became one of six S.C. National Guardsmen to receive the Medal of Honor.
On October 8, at five in the morning, G Company was ordered “Over the Top.” The unit advanced approximately one mile before its commander was wounded and Dozier, who had already been shot in the shoulder by a sniper, assumed command. Soon after, the Germans sent out half a dozen machine gun crews in advance of their line. According to Dozier one was particularly well advanced. “We could see men from my company and men of the other companies on our right and left falling from machine gun fire.” Locating the source of trouble, Dozier signaled his company to lie down and seek as much concealment as possible. He then ordered a machine gun crew to fire just over the heads of the German gunners so they couldn’t look over the top of the pit in which they were concealed. He and Private Callie Smith advanced on the left flank of the machine gunners until they were within 20 yards of the enemy.
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