James Cordie Dozier (February 17, 1885 – October 24, 1974) was a native of South Carolina and a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for heroism on October 8, 1918, during World War I.
Early life
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
Military service
World War I
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.
Around 8:30 a.m. he signaled his machine gun crew to quit firing and dashed upon the Germans in the hole. "One of the machine gunners was about to get me with his revolver when Callie Smith downed him," said Dozier. The two knocked out the entire squad of seven machine gunners in this advanced position. Dozier continued leading his men for the next two and a half hours until all the machine gun nests had been silenced and G Company's objective had been taken. He and the unit also captured approximately 470 prisoners. At this point, the "Great War" was over for Dozier. He spent the next three months in hospitals recuperating from his wound. On January 21, 1919, General Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force pinned the Medal of Honor to Dozier's chest.
Returning home
When the 118th returned to Camp Jackson (now Ft. Jackson) from overseas, the U.S. government was gearing up for a "Victory Liberty Loan Campaign" to raise $4.5 billion in war bonds to pay off the nation's debt from World War I. Dozier's achievement on October 8, was selected by the government as one of the 12 most remarkable exploits during the war. He and 11 other Medal of Honor recipients spent three weeks (April 21 – May 10) touring the country helping to raise $5.2 billion (approx. $63 billion today) in bond subscriptions.
After completing this mission, Dozier returned to civilian life. He also continued his courtship with Winthrop College student Tallulah Little, whom he had corresponded with throughout the war. In a scrapbook she kept of Dozier during and after the war are endearing telegrams he sent her while separated. One of them relates to an upcoming banquet the students of Winthrop hosted in honor of the homecoming of our Soldiers. In the telegram Dozier wrote "Miss Lula Little, I'm coming Tuesday. My place at the banquet is with you. It is fine to be back home. Love, Jim." The two were married the following June in Laurens.