MEMORIAL SERVICES HONOR LT. HARBERS KILLED AUGUST 7
Military Honors Are Paid By William Ben Hoffman Post of American Legion
Memorial service for Lt. James D. Harbers were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Ashton, Iowa of which he was a member. Monday afternoon and were conducted by the Rev. A.E. Drake of Lennox, S.Dak., former pastor of his church and a close friend of the Harbers family, assisted by Rev. B.R. DeJong, now pastor of the church.A male quartet, Wilson Duven, Bayard Johnson, Kenneth and Robert DeJong sang "Good Nigh and Good Morning" and "The Old Rugged Cross" with Mrs. Thomas Fischer at the piano. S-Sgt, Gerritt Rensink, recently discharged from the army after being overseas for several years, sang "The Lord's Prayer." The flower girls were Thelma Heritage and Mrs. Loyal Monkemeier (Inez Dilly) members of Jim's Senior Class.
For this Ashton boy, who has made the supreme sacrifice, when he was killed in action on August 7, final military tribute was paid by members of William Ben Hoffman Post 290 of the American Legion. Assisting were for local young men, home on furlough and by four discharged veterans of the present war. Bernard Richter and George Imhoff, veterans of the first World War were Standard Bearers.
Presentation of the American Flag to Lt. Harber's mother was made by R.D. Hoffman of American Legion Post.
The services were brought to a close by the bugler sounding taps. The many beautiful offerings expressed in love and esteem for this young man, their friend and former neighbor.
Lt. James D. Harbers wa born near Ashton on March 21, 1919. His early years were spent at home. He graduated for the local high school in 1936. On October 27, 1935 he was accepted a a member of the Presbyterian Church at Ashton. After his graduation he worked in Illinois for one year, after which he worked on a pheasant farm near Janesville, Wis., for five years.
On September 3, 1942 he enlisted in the air corps. He was called into service on March 7. 1943. He received his training at the following camps.
Ground training at Randolph Field, Texas; Primary Training at Sikeston, Mo.; Basic training at Coffeeville, Kans., and his advanced training at Victoria, Tex. Here is also [sic] received his wings and was commissioned as second lieutenant.
James only received one furlough, when he came home for his brother's wedding.
He received further advanced training at Dothan, Ala., Elgin Field, Fla., Richomnd, Va.; replacement center, New Hartford, Conn., Long Island New York and again at the replacement center from where he left for duties abroad. He left the states in May, 1944, and landed in England on May 12 and later France on June 5. From there he was in combat, piloting a P-51 Mustang Fighter plane.
James was killed in action over France on August 7, 1944. He was 25 years, 4 months and 17 days old at the time of his death.
Those who remain to mourn his death are his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Harbers of Ashton, one brother, Lawrence Harbers of Ashton, and one sister, Miss Pauline Harbers, now a cadet nurse in California.
From Sibley Gazette-Tribune February 8th, 1945
