https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60623377

NAME: James Moir Coutts

GENDER: Male

RACE: White

AGE: 23

RELATIONSHIP TO DRAFTEE: Self

BIRTH DATE: 3 Sept 1917

BIRTH PLACE: Madison, South Dakota, USA

RESIDENCE PLACE: Newaygo, Newaygo, Michigan, USA

REGISTRATION DATE: 16 Oct 1940

REGISTRATION PLACE: Newaygo, Newaygo, Michigan, USA

EMPLOYER: Self

WEIGHT: 190

COMPLEXION: Light

EYE COLOR: Blue

HAIR COLOR: Brown

HEIGHT: 6ft

NEXT OF KIN: Naomi (Stilson) Coutts (mother)

RADAR: 16045330 James Moir Coutts TSgt SD ~ MI

James Moore Coutts__________ b. Sept. 3, 1917 in Madison, S.D. d. August 20, 1944

TSgt (16045330) in World War II, lost "over the hump" in a B-29. His body was returned to the U.S. for burial.

He wrote a number of letters to his Aunt Lucille while he was in the Service. His last one was dated August 14, 1944 …..6 days before he was "lost."

Excerpts of his letters follows:

May 26, 1942 from Army Air Corps, Scott Field, IL: My training here consists of radio operations, code, theory in aeronautics. They sure are rushing us through for the need for radio operators in flying fortresses and in our foreign possessions is great." "There is a job that has to be done so we can all return home and resume where we left off."

December 30, 1942 from Langley Field, VA: "I have been here since November 27. Just came back Christmas Day from a mission to Trinidad just off the shore of South America. We flew some RADAR and radio supplies down to our base there. Stopped in Florida and the Virgin Islands for a day each. I can't tell you any more. You know "Military Secrets." We are supposed to keep our traps shut but "Life" and "Look" magazines can publish anything they wish. Very peculiar indeed!!"

February 20, 1943: "Tried to see Uncle John while on a two-day pass at his camp twenty miles from here, but he was in detention, no visitors."

August 14, 1944: "We are giving the yellow rats the "kick in the pants" which they have had coming for a long time. Our climate is very damp in India and is the same over in China."

James M Coutts