Before leaving Germany in 1955 the 26^th Infantry Regiment commissioned this painting of Private James William (Bill) Reese, who served with the regiment in WWII.  James Reese was born on April 16^th, 1920 in Chester Pennsylvania and enlisted in 1941 becoming a private first class in Company F, 2^nd Battalion, 26^th Infantry Regiment, 1^st Division.  Private Reese was serving with the 26^th Infantry in early August 1933 during the assault on the town of Troina, Sicily.  On August 5, 1943 Private Reese was killed in action for which he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.  During a German counterattack on his company, Private Reese led the men of his mortar squad into an advantageous position from which they inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy ranks.  When enemy fire on his squad’s position became overwhelming, Private Reese ordered his squad to withdraw while he moved to a new position and continued to fire his mortar, destroying an enemy machine gun nest.  His Medal of Honor Citation notes that when his mortar ammunition ran out Private Reese “abandoned the mortar, seized a rifle, and continued to advance, moving into an exposed position overlooking the enemy. Despite a heavy concentration of machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire, the heaviest experienced by his unit throughout the entire Sicilian campaign, he remained at this position and continued to inflict casualties upon the enemy until he was killed. His bravery, coupled with his gallant and unswerving determination to close with the enemy, regardless of consequences and obstacles which he faced, are a priceless inspiration to our Armed Forces.”