Jimmie Watters Monteith, Jr. was born on July 1, 1917 in Low Moor, Alleghany County, Virginia. He was the son of Jimmie Watters Monteith and Caroline Lewis Weaver Monteith. He entered the military service in Virginia and served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a First Lieutenant in the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. 1LT Monteith landed with the initial assault waves on Omaha Beach under heavy enemy fire. Without regard to his own personal safety he continually moved up and down the beach reorganizing men for further assault.

He then led the assault over a narrow protective ledge and across the flat, exposed terrain to the comparative safety of a cliff. Retracing his steps across the field to the beach, he moved over to where two tanks were buttoned up and blind under violent enemy artillery and machinegun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1LT Monteith led the tanks on foot through a minefield and into firing positions. Under his direction several enemy positions were destroyed.

He then rejoined his company and under his leadership his men captured an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defense of his newly won position against repeated vicious counterattacks, he continued to ignore his own personal safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen links in his defensive chain.

When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding 1LT Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation, 1LT Monteith was killed by enemy fire. He is now buried in Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France. He also has a cenotaph located in Forest Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, USA.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov