James Thurman Land was born in Kentucky on December 22, 1913 to Robert Austin Land and Nannie Cox. He was married to Murel Elizabeth Carroll.
He enlisted on December 1, 1942, in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, and is buried at Jellico Cemetery, Jellico, TN.
The Advance-Sentinel March 11, 1949:
Funeral services for Sgt. James Thurman Land, son of Mrs. R.A. Land, will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, March 13th at the First Baptist Church of Jellico with the Rev. Frances Tallent officiating.
Sgt. Land was killled in action October 25, 1944 while serving with the 350th Infantry, Company B, 88th Division in Northern Italy. He receive the following medals: The Bronze Star – For exemplary conduct in ground combat against the armed enemy on or about October 14, 1944 in the Mediterrranean Theater of Operation: Purple Heart – For having made the Supreme Sacrifice in defense of his country; Good Conduct Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; American Campaign Service Ribbon; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Service; Ribbon with two Bronze service stars for battle participation in Rome, Arno and North Apennines Campaigns; World War II Victory Medal; Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar; Expert Badge with Auto Rifle Bar.
Sgt. Land became a member of the First Baptist Church of Jellico in 1926. He was graduated from Jellico High School in 1932. He attended Cumberland College. He taught school in Campbell County for two years and worked in Jellico stores several years. He moved to Knoxville in 1937, where he was employed by the A.P. Tea Company until he was inducted December 8, 1942. He was a Member, Treasurer, Head Usher, and Training Union Director in the Fort Sanders Baptist Church.
Besides his mother he is survived by one sister, Retha, two brothers, Herman and Lee of Jellico.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 22 December 1913
- Date of death: 25 October 1944
- County: Campbell
- Hometown: Jellico by birth; later Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, Company B
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Italy Campaign
- Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; American Campaign Service Ribbon; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Service; Ribbon with two bronze service stars; World War II Victory Medal; Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar; Expert Badge with Auto Rifle Bar
- Burial/Memorial Location: Jellico Cemetery, Jellico, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VII, Middle Panel
- Sponsored by: John B. Romeiser
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