Sammy James
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| Purple Heart | 101 Airborne Div |
Samuel Reese James II
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| Purple Heart | 101 Airborne Div |
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| National Defense Ribbon | Viet Nam Service Ribbon | Viet Nam Campaign Medal |
Named for his Paternal Grandfather |
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| Served with Honor | Army Corporal E4 | Sammy's grave marker |
Sammy was given a full military funeral w/honor guard, 21 gun salute, and a rendering of 'Taps' by a single Army Bugular echoing the contryside. He was laid to rest beside his Mother in a small rural church cemetery. Sammy's mother, Mrs. Alvis M. James, 1911-1952, had passed away when Sammy was only 4 yrs old. She and Sammy are buried at Antioch Primative Baptist Church on Antioch Rd. just outside of Whitesburg, Georgia, a small quiet rural community southwest of Atlanta.
Sammy was a professed Christian and was a member of Macedonia (now Midway Macedonia) Baptist Church located in Sandhill, GA, a small rural community located halfway between the cities of Villa Rica, GA and Carrollton, GA just off state highway 61.
Sammy attended Sandhill Elementary School. Upon completion of the 7th grade Sam came to Villa Rica High School in September of 1961 at which time we meet and became instant Pals. We graduated from Villa Rica High in June 1966. I saw little of Sam afterwards as we went our seperate ways.
Sammy's father, Earl, called me when the Army Chaplin delivered and read the cold factual report on the death of a fallen Army Ranger, his ONLY son. Mr. James was shaken, understandably, and wanted me to come be with him as he waited for the army to bring Sammy's body home.
While we waited Mr. James asked me to read the situation report on the action that had taken Sammy's life. It described the event in which Sammy was killed in Thua Thien Province, Viet Nam.
I stood beside my own father as the Army put Sammy's body in the ground, for I had just received my draft notice only a few weeks earlier.
If by chance you find yourself visting The Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. or you see the Traveling Replica of The Wall as it passes through your area, find Sammy's name on Panel#49W 1st Name on Line#42 and tell him, Ray won't let him be forgotten.
