Emerson, James F. died 1944

EMERSON, ROCHE

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/16/2024 at 20:35:02

Clayton County Register, 17 May 1945.

Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Emerson of Volga City received Tuesday, May 15, a telegram from the War Department, informing them of the death of their son, James F. Emerson, 29. James had been reported missing since Oct. 02, when he was on a mission over Germany. Although he had completed his thirty missions after going across, and could have returned to the United States with his crew, he volunteered for ten other missions, and was reported missing after the fourth. The telegram from the Department, is as follows:

Washington, D.C.

"It has been officially established from records received in the War Department that your son, First Lt. James Emerson, who was previously reported missing in action was killed in action on Oct. 02 in Germany. The Secretary of War extends his deep sympathy. Confirming letter follows.

"The Adj. General"

Lt. Emerson went across in June 1944, his father thought. He has seen service since January 1942 when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. In July 1943 he transferred to the American Air Force. He had been awarded the Air Medal and two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was married last August to Shiela Roche in London, who has been residing with her parents, in Ireland. A brother, Capt. Oliver Emerson, a navigator, has also been stationed in England. Their father stated they had heard from Oliver in a letter dated May 4.

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Note: buried in the Margraten Cemetery, Margraten, Holland

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Added by S.Ferrall 6/16/2024:

The Rev. D.T. Noonan will offer a Requiem High Mass Saturday, July 7, at the Sacred Heart Catholic church in Volga City for Lt. James F. Emerson, who was killed in action on Oct. 2 1944.

The Elkader post of the American Legion will be in charge of the military rites following the mass.

News of Lt. Emerson's death was received by his parents in a telegram from the War Dept. May 15. Previously he had been reported missing from a mission over Germany. Although he had completed 30 missions after going across and could have returned to this country with his crew, he volunteered for 10 more missions and was reported missing after his fourth.

Lt. Emerson went across in late spring 1944. He had seen service since January 1942 when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. In July 1943 he transferred to the American Air force. He had been awarded the Air medal and two Oak Leaf Clusters.

He was married last August in London to Shiela Roche, who has been residing with her parents in Ireland.

~Clayton County Register, Thursday, July 5, 1945; pg 1