Greg Jordan: 'Task Force Spurrier' would be a Hollywood scriptwriter's dream come true

Feb. 22—This week a World War II veteran and Mercer County resident who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Europe came a step closer in the West Virginia Legislature to having two highway bridges on Interstate 77 named in his memory.

I've read about his combat actions more than once and more than once people including veterans have said that his story would make a great movie.

I have to agree. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Ira "Junior" Spurrier was living in Bluefield when he joined the Army in 1940.

He was wounded while fighting in New Guinea, decided he wanted to keep serving his country and was sent to Europe.

In September 1944, Spurrier earned the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart for his leadership during a one-man assault on a heavily fortified enemy position near Lay-Saint-Christophe in France. He earned the Medal of Honor and similar medals from France and Belgium for his gallantry during Company G's advance on the village of Achain, France.

While fighting in Achain, Spurrier circled to the village's rear area. Despite being by himself, he attacked German positions during a battle that lasted about 24 hours. He used captured German weapons and ammunition when American ones were unavailable. Enemy troops retreated into a barn to escape Spurrier's attack, but he set the barn on fire. The fact it was full of hay and barrels of fuel didn't help the Germans. He then killed or captured several German soldiers and one officer.

Spurrier ultimately inflicted 36 causalities on the enemy and ended up with 32 prisoners. He earned the nickname "Task Force Spurrier."

Well, Spurrier's accomplishments sound like a Hollywood scriptwriter's dream come true. Just let the story tell itself.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of faith in Hollywood when it comes to science or history. Scriptwriters and directors often feel they've got to alter the facts.

I can think of one good example.

My favorite World War II movie is "A Bridge Too Far." Released in 1977 and based on the novel by Cornelius Ryan, it tells the story of Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied attempt to seize bridges across German-occupied Holland and cross into Germany. Thousands of American, British and Polish paratroopers were dropped into Holland, but the operation failed when the Germans put up unexpectedly fierce resistance.

Among the movie's many stars is Anthony Hopkins, now known for roles like Dr. Hannibal Lector in "The Silence of the Lambs." In "A Bridge Too Far," Hopkins plays Lieutenant-Colonel John Frost, leader of the British paratroopers that held out for days in the Dutch city of Arnheim.

In one scene, Hopkins runs across a street while crouching low to avoid enemy gunfire. Well, the real Robert Frost was there as an advisor. Later, he told Hopkins that he was going too fast.

British officers were expected to show both their troops and the enemy a contempt for danger, but the filmmakers thought that the sight of Hopkins calmly walking while being shot at would be too unbelievable, so they rejected that idea.

I'm afraid that situation might crop up in a Junior Spurrier movie. Scriptwriters might fear that today's audiences won't believe that Spurrier attacked and defeated that many enemy troops all by himself. They might be tempted to give Spurrier some companions or reduce the number of enemy soldiers he was facing. There are times when Hollywood underestimates the intelligence of its audiences.

A movie about Spurrier would be good if done right and serve as yet another memorial to him and other veterans who did incredible things for their country.

It's a story that doesn't need a single alteration.

Greg Jordan is the Daily Telegraph's senior reporter. Contact him at gjordan@bdtonline.com