James enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 11, 1942. In April 1945, he was an infantry scout assigned to Company G, 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division ("Timberwolves"). On April 7, he was lead scout during a maneuver to secure an enemy bridgehead near Lippoldsberg, Germany. As his regiment crossed the Weser River, he was pinned down for more than an hour by enemy machine gun fire. After James returned to his platoon with his scouting observations, he helped to develop a new assault plan, designating targets in the new attack. Later, when James saw his platoon leader shot down by enemy snipers, he went to his lieutenant's aid and was himself killed by machine gun fire as he was making his way across open ground. On September 14, 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism.