James Arthur Tummins was born 13 March 1921 to John Daniel Tummins and Pearl Mae Masden.
Died non Battle 1 May 1944 at Camp Beale in California. He is buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Etowah, McMinn County, Tennessee.
Medford Mail Tribune (Oregon) 4 May 1944
Marysville, Cal., May 4 – Three Camp Beal enlisted men were killed in the explosion of a land mine contained in an experimental “booby trap” used in training at the base, camp officers announced today.
Killed were Sgt. James Tummins, 23, Elizabethton, Tenn.; Sgt. Leon Russell, 31, La Follette, Tenn., and Pvt. Anthony P. San Fillippo, 22, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
The Daily Post-Athenian, May 5, 1944
Etowah – Mr. and Mrs. John Tummins of Etowah, received a message Thursday afternoon telling them that their son, Sgt. James Arthur Tummins, 23, had been killed in an explosion Monday, May 1, at Camp Beale, Calif.
Sgt. Tummins was a ranger with the Infantry of the U.S. Army and had been in service twenty-three months. The news of his death came as a great shock to his parents. Sgt. Tummins, while home on furlough some time ago, expressed his great desire to go into foreign service soon, relatives stated.
Funeral services are to be held pending the arrival of the body from California. The family in Etowah received a Telephone call from the General at Camp Beale who informed them Sgt. Tummins was one of three enlisted men who were killed there Monday. The soldiers, it was reported, were rigging equipment for a “booby trap” class andit was believed the timing was wrong, causing the land mine explosion which killed the soldiers. Sgt. Tummmins was an instructor and the General said “we have lost one of the best men we have ever had.” The body was shipped from California this morning.
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 13 March 1921
- Date of death: 1 May 1944
- County: McMinn
- Hometown: Elizabethton
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: Infantry
- Conflict: World War II
- Burial/Memorial Location: Green Hill Cemetery, Etowah, McMinn County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XV, Middle Panel
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