Oral history interview of James Black. James M. Black was drafted into WWII (1943-1945) in the Army, 1st Infantry, I Company, 16th Regiment, 1st Army, and saw action in the European Theater in England, France, and Central Europe. He was present at Normandy, the battle for the Rhineland, the Battle of the Bulge (where he took shrapnel in his legs) and Ardennes. He was a Technician Five and was the company mechanic and trained on various weapons. He received 5 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Combat Infantry badge.