James Charles Slay, 1924–1944

James Charles Slay

1924-1944

Photo Credit: Find-A-Grave, Beth Brown

James C Slay died while serving our country during The Driniumor River, also known as the Battle of Aitape. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Driniumor_River ) This battle lasted from July 10th to August 24th 1944. He was 19 years old when he was laid to rest in the Refuge Methodist Church Cemetery in Lucedale, Mississippi, USA . He was a member of The United States 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division.

32nd Infantry Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

128th Infantry Regiment

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Nickname: Les Terribles

Motto: The Terrible Ones

James C. Slays Draft card from when he turned 18, on October 26th 1943. Notice his occupation: Student

During my research I was not about to find an obituary for him, however I was able to find a copy of an article most likely from a newspaper with a copy of the telegram message that his parents received on the Find-A-Grave website, under James Charles Slay name:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33975193/james-charles-slay

REMEMBERING OUR WW11 VETERANS *Reprinted from the GCT in the 1940’s

Mr. and Mrs. Bernice Slay received word from the War Department recently informing them that the son Pvt. James C. Slay had been killed in action. The telegram follows:

"The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that you son Pvt. James C. Slay was killed in action on 13 July in New Guinea."

Submitted by Betty R Marshall

I was able to find a copy of James C Slays death records. However I was unable to obtain an original copy of the record. Here is a screen shot of the record. It is possible by the way that his record is written, it does not look as though he died during action, but more so mortally wounded and passed away later in a hospital. He still would have been considered KIA due to how and when he received his injuries.

National Archives and Records Administration; Hospital Admission Card Files, ca. 1970 - ca. 1970; NAI: 570973; Record Group Number: Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army), 1775-1994; Record Group Title: 112

I was able to find his name and serial number on the “World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel from Mississippi, 1946”

I was able to find a copy of the application made for the headstone marker for James C Slay.

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He is mentioned in two papers the Clarion Ledger on Saturday, October 7 1944, pg 2

He is also mentioned in the “Seen and Heard, Here and There, About the City” section of the Hattiesburg (Miss) American paper on Friday, October 6th, 1944 page 6