[1] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, America's second-highest award for valor, and the Croix de Guerre from the government of France for his actions during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during World War I. James E. Rieger was born September 20, 1870, in Peoria County, Illinois, to German immigrant parents Gottfried and Rose (Bruning) Rieger.

[1] He also held various other elected and politically appointed positions, including City Clerk for Kirksville, chairman of the county Democratic committee, and vice-president of the school board.

In 1916 now-Major Rieger and the 2nd battalion, 4th Regiment joined a fellow northeast Missourian, General John J. Pershing on the Mexican border in pursuit of bandit Pancho Villa.

[4] Then-Major Rieger, in command of 2nd Battalion, 139th Regiment, led his men in a successful frontal attack on Vauquois Hill, considered the strongest point on the Hindenburg Line between Verdun and Aisne.

After regrouping his battalion, Rieger led them across the Aire river through heavy enemy artillery and machine gun fire to capture the key village of Exermont.

citation reads as follows: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James E. Rieger, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Charpentry, France, September 27, 1918.

Lieutenant Colonel Rieger commanded the battalion which had, with conspicuous gallantry, captured Vauquois Hill and the Bois-de-Rosignel, and which was later held up for some hours in front of Charpentry by severe artillery and machine-gun fire.

He placed himself in front of all his men, and thus starting them forward led them to the attack with such speed and dash that a large number of the enemy were cut off and captured.

In 1938 Rieger returned to France at the behest of Missouri Governor Lloyd Stark as part of a three-man commission to inspect the gravesites of fallen Missourians.

[2] During World War II he was an active duty U.S. Army officer in the China Burma India Theater, retiring from military service in 1946 with the rank of Colonel.

Called to active duty in 1940, he served in Alaska and other Pacific Theater postings, mostly as a staff officer of the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG).