James Reuben Wyatt was born in North Carolina to James Walker Wyatt and Ollie Agnes Chadwick.
Died non Battle 10 September 1945
Sergeant
Signal Corps
Sgt Wyatt was captured in the Southwest Pacific Theatre and was a Prisoner of War at Fukuoka POW Camp #1 – Kashii (Pine Tree Camp) Kyushu Island 33-130. He was liberated and was a passenger on aircraft B-24M with serial number 44-42052, nickname Liquidator. The aircraft was on a ferrying mission from Yontan AAF Base, Okinawa to Nielsen Field on the Philippine Islands. They were reported Missing in action on 10 September 1945.
Sgt Wyatt is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri, together with 2nd Lt Charles A. Balcom, Sgt Thomas L. Cramer, Pvt Arthur Brill, PFC Ben F. David, Sgt John D. Denham, PFC Hubert J. Grabski, S/Sgt Dexter J. Hollon, F/O Wiliam D. Jones, Sgt George E. Mc Farlane, 1st Lt Charles C. Scruggs Jr., S/Sgt William Thomas, Sgt Jim M. Thornsbery, Cpl Elbert E. Wade, PFC William J. Watson and S/Sgt Robert J. Wilson.
-Enlisted on June 6, 1941, in Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA
-Siblings: Lorene K. Wyatt and Dallie M. Wyatt
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, April 19, 1942
It turns out there was another 18-year-old Knoxvillian in the Bataan Pininsula fighting – Private James Reuben Wyatt, whose parents have received a direct Signal Corps message from him as late as five days ago. They are Mr. and Mrs. James Wyatt, of 514 Williams Street.
“Dear mother,” he wrote, “Just a few lines to let you know I am okey and well. Tell sis and the boys I said hello, and to be good until I see them again. Tell Dad to write to me. Happy Birthday and my best wishes to you, and may God be with you. Your son.”
Young Wyatt, who was 18 only last Jan. 19, enlisted in the aviation corps last June and embarked for the Philippines after only one week at Camp McPherson, Ga.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 19 January 1924
- Date of death: 10 September 1945
- County: Knox
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: Signal Corps
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Burial/Memorial Location: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis County, MO
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Bottom Panel
- Contact us to sponsor James R. Wyatt
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