'On night of 24th/25th April, 1918, during a counter-attack by their Battalion on strong enemy position South of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX these men [PIANTO, 3934 W.H. SAUNDERS, 3057 E. GILMORE, 4901 E.J. STOKES, 309A F.J. COX, 2989 D. SHANKS, 2913 G.L. McKENZIE, 3927 T.A. PORTER] who are Stretcher-bearers, continually under very heavy machine gun and shell fire, and at great personal risk, collected the wounded. Their untiring energy, bravery, and devotion to duty in clearing casualties were undoubtedly instrumental in saving many lives.'

Regimental number	2762
Place of birth	Bendigo Victoria
Religion	Roman Catholic
Occupation	Labourer
Address	Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	34
Next of kin	Mother, Mrs Jane Pianto, Eaglehawk PO, Eaglehawk, Victoria
Enlistment date	16 August 1915
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	28th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/45/2
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 2 November 1915
Rank from Nominal Roll	Private
Unit from Nominal Roll	51st Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)	Military Medal Recommendation date: 5 May 1918
Fate	Returned to Australia 31 December 1918
Medals	Military Medal 'On night of 24th/25th April, 1918, during a counter-attack by their Battalion on strong enemy position South of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX these men [PIANTO, 3934 W.H. SAUNDERS, 3057 E. GILMORE, 4901 E.J. STOKES, 309A F.J. COX, 2989 D. SHANKS, 2913 G.L. McKENZIE, 3927 T.A. PORTER] who are Stretcher-bearers, continually under very heavy machine gun and shell fire, and at great personal risk, collected the wounded. Their untiring energy, bravery, and devotion to duty in clearing casualties were undoubtedly instrumental in saving many lives.'

James PIANTO