James T Rourke

Pvt James Rourke was killed in action on 29 June 1944, serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment. On 29 June 1944, the 175th Infantry held its position in the salient on Hill 108, roughly three miles from St. Lô, a location won at heavy cost and now under sustained pressure. The regiment's battalions rotated through the forward line during this stretch, absorbing one major enemy counter-attack along with several smaller probing assaults aimed at retaking the ground. The after-action report does not spell out the exact rotation schedule for these days, but it makes clear that the salient was held throughout the period despite repeated German attempts to dislodge the defenders. Pvt Rourke was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.