World War II Honoree

James J. Beyer, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Buffalo, New York

Honored By

Judith Beyer Hilburger

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED WITH THE 45TH THUNDERBIRD DIVISION. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF SICILY AND ITALY. SUFFERED FROM MALARIA WHILE TRAINING IN AFRICA AND WAS SEPARATED FROM HIS COMPANY. WHEN HE RECOVERED, HE HITCHED A RIDE ON AN AIRPLANE TO HIS OLD COMPANY RATHER THAN BE ASSIGNED TO A NEW UNIT. HE WAS A TRAINED SCOUT AND ONE NIGHT FOUND HIMSELF ALONE AND TRAVELING TOWARDS A DISTANT CAMPFIRE IN HIS UNIT'S DIRECTION. RATHER THAN WALK DIRECTLY INTO THE CAMP, HE HESITATED AND LISTENED. HE WAS OUTSIDE A GERMAN CAMP WHICH WAS RIGHT NEXT TO HIS OWN CAMP. DURING A BATTLE IN ITALY, HE WAS HELPING TO TAKE AN INJURED MAN OUT OF BATTLE ON A STRETCHER. ANOTHER MAN CARRYING THE STRETCHER STEPPED ON A LANDMINE. ONLY MY FATHER SURVIVED, WITH SHRAPNEL THROUGHOUT HIS BODY.