James F. “Jim” Tracy was born on March 3, 1897 in Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Sergeant in Company B, 1st Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action on October 10, 1918 in France at the age of 21 but his current burial place is unknown. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Citation:The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James F. Tracy, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 1st Engineers, 1st Division, A.E.F.,near Exermont, France, October 9, 1918. Without waiting for orders, Sergeant Tracy voluntarily led a patrol against an enemy machine gun which was threatening the advance of our troops and delivering a severe fire into our ranks. By his skillful and courageous efforts the machine gun was captured. He continued to lead his men forward under the severe artillery and machine-gun fire until he was killed.
He was Killed in Action on October 10, 1918 in Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France, France but his current burial place is unknown.