Post by connie on Dec 15, 2014 1:30:29 GMT -5
Forsythe, James D. 424 A POW XIIA
(note that the Roster and the division association photo list him in 424 I but his account on the indiana military site and his obituary list his unit as 424 A)
Notice that he passed away 10/7/14 appeared in the latest Cub Magazine
His Obituary can be found here: www.tributes.com/obituary/show/James-Danial-J.-D.-Forsythe-101761090
Of his military history, his obituary notes:
" Following high school, like so many young men of the era, he didn't wait for the draft call, he volunteered to serve in the United States Army. At age 18, he left Blytheville by bus for Camp Joseph T. Robinson Induction Center in North Little Rock. Assigned to the 97th Infantry Division, he would report to Camp Atterbury, Indiana for training, then on to San Luis Obispo, California for amphibious training. When his training was completed, Forsythe was transferred to the 106th Division and was soon on his way to the European Theatre. His unit crossed the Atlantic on the RMS Aquitania, landing at Glasgow, Scotland then on to Lomerswieller, Belgium where he was assigned as a runner in Company A, 1st Regiment and 424th Battalion of the 106th Infantry Division.
In the early evening of December 16, 1944 his unit was scattered sparsely in a holding action, and armed with only 40 rounds of ammunition per soldier when German tanks followed by infantry filled the nearby village. Most of his squad was killed in the first few minutes of the battle. Five survivors, including Forsythe, hid in a root cellar. They were soon discovered and captured by the German SS Troops. The prisoners were eventually taken to a train station and loaded in boxcars. Most of the prisoners came down with severe dysentery and many did not survive the trip to Stalag 12-A at Limburg, Germany. In less than a year, he went from a healthy 178 pounds to a 105 pound man in very poor health. When liberated he had not had a change of clothes, a tooth brush, or bath in 5 months and seven days. He was among the liberated prisoners taken to Reims, France and after many weeks in the hospital he eventually made his way home to Leachville. His parents had not received news of his release. They had initially received word that he was missing in action and later that he was a prisoner of war. His many commendations and medals include 3 Bronze Stars, European African Middle East Campaign with Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Sharp Shooter Medal, Sniper Medal, Missing Prisoner of War Medal, and the Purple Heart."
Detailed Account of Military History on Indiana Military site (PDF ): www.indianamilitary.org/German%20PW%20Camps/Prisoner%20of%20War/PW%20Camps/Stalag%20XII-A%20Limburg/James%20Forsythe/Forsythe-James.pdf
High School web page dedicated to James Forsythe includes the account found on the Indiana Military Site and the obituary as well as some photos
manilahigh.net/JamesDForsythe.htm
Identified in 106th Division Association Reunion photo: www.facebook.com/106thInfDivAssn/photos/a.220477064787859.1073741832.219781714857394/265045996997632/
His account in War Stories of the Battle of the Bulge published in 2010 written by Michael Green & James D. Brown: books.google.com/books?id=6QEuiiGYmYgC&pg=PA85&lpg=PA85&dq=Forsythe,
In the notes under this Book "Ace," who met Jim Forsythe at a division association reunion, has given an brief account of the many talents of this man: 106thdivision.proboards.com/post/3943/thread
XII- A info: 106thdivision.proboards.com/post/5020/thread
(note that the Roster and the division association photo list him in 424 I but his account on the indiana military site and his obituary list his unit as 424 A)
Notice that he passed away 10/7/14 appeared in the latest Cub Magazine
His Obituary can be found here: www.tributes.com/obituary/show/James-Danial-J.-D.-Forsythe-101761090
Of his military history, his obituary notes:
" Following high school, like so many young men of the era, he didn't wait for the draft call, he volunteered to serve in the United States Army. At age 18, he left Blytheville by bus for Camp Joseph T. Robinson Induction Center in North Little Rock. Assigned to the 97th Infantry Division, he would report to Camp Atterbury, Indiana for training, then on to San Luis Obispo, California for amphibious training. When his training was completed, Forsythe was transferred to the 106th Division and was soon on his way to the European Theatre. His unit crossed the Atlantic on the RMS Aquitania, landing at Glasgow, Scotland then on to Lomerswieller, Belgium where he was assigned as a runner in Company A, 1st Regiment and 424th Battalion of the 106th Infantry Division.
In the early evening of December 16, 1944 his unit was scattered sparsely in a holding action, and armed with only 40 rounds of ammunition per soldier when German tanks followed by infantry filled the nearby village. Most of his squad was killed in the first few minutes of the battle. Five survivors, including Forsythe, hid in a root cellar. They were soon discovered and captured by the German SS Troops. The prisoners were eventually taken to a train station and loaded in boxcars. Most of the prisoners came down with severe dysentery and many did not survive the trip to Stalag 12-A at Limburg, Germany. In less than a year, he went from a healthy 178 pounds to a 105 pound man in very poor health. When liberated he had not had a change of clothes, a tooth brush, or bath in 5 months and seven days. He was among the liberated prisoners taken to Reims, France and after many weeks in the hospital he eventually made his way home to Leachville. His parents had not received news of his release. They had initially received word that he was missing in action and later that he was a prisoner of war. His many commendations and medals include 3 Bronze Stars, European African Middle East Campaign with Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Sharp Shooter Medal, Sniper Medal, Missing Prisoner of War Medal, and the Purple Heart."
Detailed Account of Military History on Indiana Military site (PDF ): www.indianamilitary.org/German%20PW%20Camps/Prisoner%20of%20War/PW%20Camps/Stalag%20XII-A%20Limburg/James%20Forsythe/Forsythe-James.pdf
High School web page dedicated to James Forsythe includes the account found on the Indiana Military Site and the obituary as well as some photos
manilahigh.net/JamesDForsythe.htm
Identified in 106th Division Association Reunion photo: www.facebook.com/106thInfDivAssn/photos/a.220477064787859.1073741832.219781714857394/265045996997632/
His account in War Stories of the Battle of the Bulge published in 2010 written by Michael Green & James D. Brown: books.google.com/books?id=6QEuiiGYmYgC&pg=PA85&lpg=PA85&dq=Forsythe,
In the notes under this Book "Ace," who met Jim Forsythe at a division association reunion, has given an brief account of the many talents of this man: 106thdivision.proboards.com/post/3943/thread
XII- A info: 106thdivision.proboards.com/post/5020/thread