James Calvin Francis,76,died at his home in Wilton, Arkansas, Wednesday, March 10, 2010.
He was born March 02, 1934 in Red River County, Texas, the son of John Calvin Francis and Ruth Hull Francis.
He attended Bogata schools until the age of seventeen when he enlisted in the US Army to help his mother care for their family. He served in the 2nd Armored Tank Division in Korea and was stationed in Germany after the war. He was a retired construction worker and a member of the VFW Post 8187 in Bogata.
On December 21, 1957 he married Shirley Yvonne Burns, daughter of Delbert and Minnie Aldridge Burns, in Dallas. She preceded him in death November 22,1999.
He was also preceded in death by his father, John Calvin Francis, June 21, 1934; his sister, Madgie Lou Stinson, February 13, 1970; and his mother, Ruth Francis Vaughan, March 11, 2001.
He is survived by his son, Kerry James Francis; his daughter, Amy Lee Rhodes; two grandchildren, Tanner Rhodes and Corie Rhodes, all of Wilton, Arkansas, and one great-grandchild, Trenton Scott Rhodes; two sisters, Martha Vaughan Evans, Paris, Texas, Nina Vaughan Barber, Corsicana, Texas, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was a loving dad, granddad, and brother. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all who knew him
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Bogata with the Rev. Billy Daniels officiating. Burial following in the Bogata Cemetery with military honors under the direction of Wood Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m at the church in Bogata.
Pallbearers are Stephen Barber, Glenn Bozarth, Clint Burns, Donald Evans, James Evans and Tanner Rhodes. Memorials may be made to the Bogata Library and Museum.
James enlisted in the U.S.Army,one month after his 17th birthday,in Paris, Texas. He had already passed the physical examination in Dallas the week before. He went by bus to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. The next day he was bused to the airport and flew to Camp Stoneman, California. He was issued khaki uniforms, put on bus and taken to the dock to board a ship for Hawaii. He completed his basic training at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. Fourteen weeks later boarded another ship and was transported to Camp Drake, Tokyo, Japan. Was there two days receiving shots,combat gear and briefed on Korea. Upon arriving in Korea he was assigned to Fox Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. They were under heavy fire when they landed - somehow after regrouping he was placed with the 72nd Tank Battlion, 2nd Infantry Division. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in less than a year after he joined the Army. He was a tank commander and Platoon Sergeant. He was in two battles, Taeun-san, later named Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge, these started in early August 1951. He earned two Bronze Stars on the Korean Campaign Ribbon. He also fought at Pork Chop Hill.
He rotated back to the states and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, after three months in the states he asked to return overseas and this was granted. He was stationed in Germany. He re-enlisted while stationed in Germany. While in Germany on the tank firing range, his left hand was crushed by the recoil on a gun. He was hospitalized for some time for surgery and severe allergies to medications given him. This accident left his thumb and little finger paralyzed. They wanted to remove his little finger but he asked that it be bent as though making a fist. While in the service he was awarded, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars , United Nations Ribbon, NATO Ribbon, Japan Occupation Ribbon, Gremany Occupation Ribbon, U S President Unit Citation Ribbon, Korean President Unit Citation Ribbon, and Combat Tankers Badge. He was discharged in _____.
This article was sent to the newspaper in Red River County, Texas by the U.S. Army.
Get That D____ Truck Out of Our Way
With the 2nd Inf. Div. in Korea. - Pvt. Oscar Brady of Bogata, truck driver with Headquarters Company, 72nd Tank Battalion, is a new arrival in Korea and felt understandably lonesome till a few days ago.
Brady was driving along a road when he happened to stall his truck in front of a tank. Up from the tank shot the head and shoulders of the tank commander, accompanied by instructions in no uncertain terms to get the truck out of the way.
Before the tanker could get much farther, however, Brady had recognized him. Turns out he was Sgt. James C. Francis, also of Bogata. Francis is in Company C of the battalion, and scheduled for rotation to the U.S.soon.
He was born March 02, 1934 in Red River County, Texas, the son of John Calvin Francis and Ruth Hull Francis.
He attended Bogata schools until the age of seventeen when he enlisted in the US Army to help his mother care for their family. He served in the 2nd Armored Tank Division in Korea and was stationed in Germany after the war. He was a retired construction worker and a member of the VFW Post 8187 in Bogata.
On December 21, 1957 he married Shirley Yvonne Burns, daughter of Delbert and Minnie Aldridge Burns, in Dallas. She preceded him in death November 22,1999.
He was also preceded in death by his father, John Calvin Francis, June 21, 1934; his sister, Madgie Lou Stinson, February 13, 1970; and his mother, Ruth Francis Vaughan, March 11, 2001.
He is survived by his son, Kerry James Francis; his daughter, Amy Lee Rhodes; two grandchildren, Tanner Rhodes and Corie Rhodes, all of Wilton, Arkansas, and one great-grandchild, Trenton Scott Rhodes; two sisters, Martha Vaughan Evans, Paris, Texas, Nina Vaughan Barber, Corsicana, Texas, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was a loving dad, granddad, and brother. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all who knew him
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Bogata with the Rev. Billy Daniels officiating. Burial following in the Bogata Cemetery with military honors under the direction of Wood Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m at the church in Bogata.
Pallbearers are Stephen Barber, Glenn Bozarth, Clint Burns, Donald Evans, James Evans and Tanner Rhodes. Memorials may be made to the Bogata Library and Museum.
James enlisted in the U.S.Army,one month after his 17th birthday,in Paris, Texas. He had already passed the physical examination in Dallas the week before. He went by bus to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. The next day he was bused to the airport and flew to Camp Stoneman, California. He was issued khaki uniforms, put on bus and taken to the dock to board a ship for Hawaii. He completed his basic training at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. Fourteen weeks later boarded another ship and was transported to Camp Drake, Tokyo, Japan. Was there two days receiving shots,combat gear and briefed on Korea. Upon arriving in Korea he was assigned to Fox Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. They were under heavy fire when they landed - somehow after regrouping he was placed with the 72nd Tank Battlion, 2nd Infantry Division. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in less than a year after he joined the Army. He was a tank commander and Platoon Sergeant. He was in two battles, Taeun-san, later named Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge, these started in early August 1951. He earned two Bronze Stars on the Korean Campaign Ribbon. He also fought at Pork Chop Hill.
He rotated back to the states and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, after three months in the states he asked to return overseas and this was granted. He was stationed in Germany. He re-enlisted while stationed in Germany. While in Germany on the tank firing range, his left hand was crushed by the recoil on a gun. He was hospitalized for some time for surgery and severe allergies to medications given him. This accident left his thumb and little finger paralyzed. They wanted to remove his little finger but he asked that it be bent as though making a fist. While in the service he was awarded, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars , United Nations Ribbon, NATO Ribbon, Japan Occupation Ribbon, Gremany Occupation Ribbon, U S President Unit Citation Ribbon, Korean President Unit Citation Ribbon, and Combat Tankers Badge. He was discharged in _____.
This article was sent to the newspaper in Red River County, Texas by the U.S. Army.
Get That D____ Truck Out of Our Way
With the 2nd Inf. Div. in Korea. - Pvt. Oscar Brady of Bogata, truck driver with Headquarters Company, 72nd Tank Battalion, is a new arrival in Korea and felt understandably lonesome till a few days ago.
Brady was driving along a road when he happened to stall his truck in front of a tank. Up from the tank shot the head and shoulders of the tank commander, accompanied by instructions in no uncertain terms to get the truck out of the way.
Before the tanker could get much farther, however, Brady had recognized him. Turns out he was Sgt. James C. Francis, also of Bogata. Francis is in Company C of the battalion, and scheduled for rotation to the U.S.soon.
James Calvin Francis,76,died at his home in Wilton, Arkansas, Wednesday, March 10, 2010.
He was born March 02, 1934 in Red River County, Texas, the son of John Calvin Francis and Ruth Hull Francis.
He attended Bogata schools until the age of seventeen when he enlisted in the US Army to help his mother care for their family. He served in the 2nd Armored Tank Division in Korea and was stationed in Germany after the war. He was a retired construction worker and a member of the VFW Post 8187 in Bogata.
On December 21, 1957 he married Shirley Yvonne Burns, daughter of Delbert and Minnie Aldridge Burns, in Dallas. She preceded him in death November 22,1999.
He was also preceded in death by his father, John Calvin Francis, June 21, 1934; his sister, Madgie Lou Stinson, February 13, 1970; and his mother, Ruth Francis Vaughan, March 11, 2001.
He is survived by his son, Kerry James Francis; his daughter, Amy Lee Rhodes; two grandchildren, Tanner Rhodes and Corie Rhodes, all of Wilton, Arkansas, and one great-grandchild, Trenton Scott Rhodes; two sisters, Martha Vaughan Evans, Paris, Texas, Nina Vaughan Barber, Corsicana, Texas, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was a loving dad, granddad, and brother. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all who knew him
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Bogata with the Rev. Billy Daniels officiating. Burial following in the Bogata Cemetery with military honors under the direction of Wood Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m at the church in Bogata.
Pallbearers are Stephen Barber, Glenn Bozarth, Clint Burns, Donald Evans, James Evans and Tanner Rhodes. Memorials may be made to the Bogata Library and Museum.
James enlisted in the U.S.Army,one month after his 17th birthday,in Paris, Texas. He had already passed the physical examination in Dallas the week before. He went by bus to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. The next day he was bused to the airport and flew to Camp Stoneman, California. He was issued khaki uniforms, put on bus and taken to the dock to board a ship for Hawaii. He completed his basic training at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. Fourteen weeks later boarded another ship and was transported to Camp Drake, Tokyo, Japan. Was there two days receiving shots,combat gear and briefed on Korea. Upon arriving in Korea he was assigned to Fox Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. They were under heavy fire when they landed - somehow after regrouping he was placed with the 72nd Tank Battlion, 2nd Infantry Division. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in less than a year after he joined the Army. He was a tank commander and Platoon Sergeant. He was in two battles, Taeun-san, later named Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge, these started in early August 1951. He earned two Bronze Stars on the Korean Campaign Ribbon. He also fought at Pork Chop Hill.
He rotated back to the states and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, after three months in the states he asked to return overseas and this was granted. He was stationed in Germany. He re-enlisted while stationed in Germany. While in Germany on the tank firing range, his left hand was crushed by the recoil on a gun. He was hospitalized for some time for surgery and severe allergies to medications given him. This accident left his thumb and little finger paralyzed. They wanted to remove his little finger but he asked that it be bent as though making a fist. While in the service he was awarded, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars , United Nations Ribbon, NATO Ribbon, Japan Occupation Ribbon, Gremany Occupation Ribbon, U S President Unit Citation Ribbon, Korean President Unit Citation Ribbon, and Combat Tankers Badge. He was discharged in _____.
This article was sent to the newspaper in Red River County, Texas by the U.S. Army.
Get That D____ Truck Out of Our Way
With the 2nd Inf. Div. in Korea. - Pvt. Oscar Brady of Bogata, truck driver with Headquarters Company, 72nd Tank Battalion, is a new arrival in Korea and felt understandably lonesome till a few days ago.
Brady was driving along a road when he happened to stall his truck in front of a tank. Up from the tank shot the head and shoulders of the tank commander, accompanied by instructions in no uncertain terms to get the truck out of the way.
Before the tanker could get much farther, however, Brady had recognized him. Turns out he was Sgt. James C. Francis, also of Bogata. Francis is in Company C of the battalion, and scheduled for rotation to the U.S.soon.
He was born March 02, 1934 in Red River County, Texas, the son of John Calvin Francis and Ruth Hull Francis.
He attended Bogata schools until the age of seventeen when he enlisted in the US Army to help his mother care for their family. He served in the 2nd Armored Tank Division in Korea and was stationed in Germany after the war. He was a retired construction worker and a member of the VFW Post 8187 in Bogata.
On December 21, 1957 he married Shirley Yvonne Burns, daughter of Delbert and Minnie Aldridge Burns, in Dallas. She preceded him in death November 22,1999.
He was also preceded in death by his father, John Calvin Francis, June 21, 1934; his sister, Madgie Lou Stinson, February 13, 1970; and his mother, Ruth Francis Vaughan, March 11, 2001.
He is survived by his son, Kerry James Francis; his daughter, Amy Lee Rhodes; two grandchildren, Tanner Rhodes and Corie Rhodes, all of Wilton, Arkansas, and one great-grandchild, Trenton Scott Rhodes; two sisters, Martha Vaughan Evans, Paris, Texas, Nina Vaughan Barber, Corsicana, Texas, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was a loving dad, granddad, and brother. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all who knew him
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Bogata with the Rev. Billy Daniels officiating. Burial following in the Bogata Cemetery with military honors under the direction of Wood Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m at the church in Bogata.
Pallbearers are Stephen Barber, Glenn Bozarth, Clint Burns, Donald Evans, James Evans and Tanner Rhodes. Memorials may be made to the Bogata Library and Museum.
James enlisted in the U.S.Army,one month after his 17th birthday,in Paris, Texas. He had already passed the physical examination in Dallas the week before. He went by bus to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. The next day he was bused to the airport and flew to Camp Stoneman, California. He was issued khaki uniforms, put on bus and taken to the dock to board a ship for Hawaii. He completed his basic training at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. Fourteen weeks later boarded another ship and was transported to Camp Drake, Tokyo, Japan. Was there two days receiving shots,combat gear and briefed on Korea. Upon arriving in Korea he was assigned to Fox Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. They were under heavy fire when they landed - somehow after regrouping he was placed with the 72nd Tank Battlion, 2nd Infantry Division. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in less than a year after he joined the Army. He was a tank commander and Platoon Sergeant. He was in two battles, Taeun-san, later named Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge, these started in early August 1951. He earned two Bronze Stars on the Korean Campaign Ribbon. He also fought at Pork Chop Hill.
He rotated back to the states and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, after three months in the states he asked to return overseas and this was granted. He was stationed in Germany. He re-enlisted while stationed in Germany. While in Germany on the tank firing range, his left hand was crushed by the recoil on a gun. He was hospitalized for some time for surgery and severe allergies to medications given him. This accident left his thumb and little finger paralyzed. They wanted to remove his little finger but he asked that it be bent as though making a fist. While in the service he was awarded, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars , United Nations Ribbon, NATO Ribbon, Japan Occupation Ribbon, Gremany Occupation Ribbon, U S President Unit Citation Ribbon, Korean President Unit Citation Ribbon, and Combat Tankers Badge. He was discharged in _____.
This article was sent to the newspaper in Red River County, Texas by the U.S. Army.
Get That D____ Truck Out of Our Way
With the 2nd Inf. Div. in Korea. - Pvt. Oscar Brady of Bogata, truck driver with Headquarters Company, 72nd Tank Battalion, is a new arrival in Korea and felt understandably lonesome till a few days ago.
Brady was driving along a road when he happened to stall his truck in front of a tank. Up from the tank shot the head and shoulders of the tank commander, accompanied by instructions in no uncertain terms to get the truck out of the way.
Before the tanker could get much farther, however, Brady had recognized him. Turns out he was Sgt. James C. Francis, also of Bogata. Francis is in Company C of the battalion, and scheduled for rotation to the U.S.soon.
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