SGT James Lionel Myers (WWII)

Remembering SGT James Lionel Myers (Fairmont)

March 29, 1919 - June 8, 1944

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"I do not know where he died, but one this is positive, he died a hero's death, because there isn't a man in France who doesn't respect the Paratroopers for their great achievements."
 
-Marion County resident PFC Thomas Blazek, who happened across his buddy "Jimmie's" grave in France (see bottom for full text)

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SGT James Lionel "Jimmie" Myers was born March 29, 1919 in Fairmont, WV, the son of William and Grace (Shaferman) Myers. 

William worked in the coal industry, as a foreman (1910 Census) and miner (1920 census). Unfortunately, William and James' brother, Herbert, died in the Jamison #8 mine disaster on January 14, 1926.

The family moved to Fairmont by the time of the 1930 census, where James completed one year of high school at East Fairmont. James also entered into the coal industry, working as a trackman in the mines (1940 census). At that time, the family was living at what the 1940 census described as "296 Fairmont/Morgantown Road."

James registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, at which time he was working for the Industrial Collieries Corporation in Fairmont. He is listed as being 6'4" and 183 lbs, with gray eyes, brown hair, and light skin.

He enlisted in Clarksburg, WV, on October 12, 1942.

Military Service

A July 25, 1944 Fairmont Times Article says of James' service: "The son of the late William Myers of Westchester, Sergeant Myers entered the Army Oct. 26, 1942, and took his initial training at Camp Blanding, Fla. He received his boots and wings at Fort Benning, Ga., March 1943, and was sent overseas in January from Camp Backall, N.C."

When Operation Overlord began on June 6, 1944, SGT James Lionel Myers was serving in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne. The airborne phase of D-Day was called Operation Neptune.

The 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Association's Unit History Page says of their mission:

"The 82nd's mission was to destroy vital German supply bridges and capture causeways leading inland across the flooded areas behind the Normandy beaches where seaborne forces would land to gain control of roads and communications. More than 10,000 All-Americans landed by parachute and glider on June 6, 1944 - D-Day - as part of the greatest airborne assault in history.

The 508th was responsible for the Southwest portion of the 82d Airborne Division sector in Normandy.Their primary targets were bridges over the Douve River, located at Brienville and Beuzeville-la-Bastille. Clouds and heavy anti-aircraft fire caused the formations to break up and many of the planes to stray off course. The confusion was also compounded by the Wehrmarcht's presence in the scheduled drop zones. This prevented the pathfinders from marking them and consequently delayed many pilots from flashing the jump lights until they had overshot the drop zones as they frantically searched for the markers. Consequently, both the 507th and 508th troopers were widely scattered over the Normandy countryside." (full account can be found here)

 

James was killed in action on June 8, 1944. His hospital admission card and Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) only say that he was killed in the line of duty.

"Jimmie's" Friend Comes Across His Grave:

On August 18, 1944, The Fairmont Times published an article about James' friend, PFC Thomas Blazek, came across his grave in France. The following is a transcription.

Blazek Finds Myers Grave in Normandy
"Sgt. James L. Myers, known to his friends as "Jimmie" is now believed to have been killed in action while in France. Sergeant Myers, son Mrs. Grace Myers of Westchester, has been reported missing since June 8.

A buddy, PFC Thomas Blazek, has sent a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blazek of Dakota, telling how he happened to find Jimmie's grave while visiting an American cemetery in France recently. The letter follows:

Dear Folks:
Just a few lines to let you all know that I am well. I didn't like sleeping this morning so I washed some clothes and later caught a ride to one of our U.S. grave yards. Just by sheer accident, I came upon a grave marked, Sgt. James L. Myers, 35739859, so I checked to what else I could could [sic] find out to make sure it was my old pal Jimmie. They had him listed as being in the 82nd Airborne, but said it may have been some other Paratrooped outfit, for there are quite a few mistakes like this.

He was buried July 7, 1944, but it's hard to tell just when he died. He may have died anytime between D-Day and then. He is buried in (censored), Plot H, Row 1, Grave 13, this cemetery is located at the crossroads just before entering the small town of (censored). The French have named the crossroads, "Bloody Corner," because of an important incident that happened there. I'll have to wait and tell you about it whenever I get home.

The countryside is very lovely in the town, and one can easily see that a hard battle was won here. I do not know where he died, but one this is positive, he died a hero's death, because there isn't a man in France who doesn't respect the Paratroopers for their great achievements. We know because we hear the French tell of them floating from the skies on D-Day.

Jimmie loved his outfit. The few times I saw him while on furlough, he would tell me what a fine organization he was in. I envied him. I'm not much for religion, but I knelt at his grave and said a prayer for him, and I cried. 

Dad, check his serial number to be sure. They said he didn't have a home address on him. Editor's note: The serial number is that of Jimmie.

Best regards and love to all,
Tommy

The censor had clipped out the names of towns and places but added a note saying that the information could be obtained by writing the War department."

Legacy and Survivors:

According to the Sainte-Mère-Eglise Airborne Museum, James was originally buried in the Blosville American Cemetery. He was later re-interred at Maple Grove Cemetery in Fairmont, WV, alongside his parents and several siblings. 

James is honored on the "Marion County Veterans Killed in Action" Memorial at Veterans Square in Fairmont, WV and the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. 

He was survived by his mother, two older brothers, and two older sisters. James' mother, Grace, died less than six months after James was laid to rest at Maple Grove. She was 70.

Sources and More Information:

Newspaper articles, in Chronological Order:
  • SGT. J.L. Myers Reported Lost. The Fairmont Times. 25 July 1944. Accessed with help from the West Virginia Regional History Center.
  • Blazek Finds Myers Grave in Normandy. The Fairmont Times. 18 August 1944. Accessed with help from the West Virginia Regional History Center.
  • Killed in France. The Fairmont Times. 9 September 1944. Accessed with help from the West Virginia Regional History Center. (Source of this photo)

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