Memorial

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Pfc James H. Walters was an East high school graduate and was employed for a short time at Goodyear Aircraft Corp. He was a member of the Goodyear Heights Methodist Church.

He enlisted at Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Indiana on 10 March 1942.

"We received a nice reception in Holland but things soon got tough, and we had a rough time the past few days," wrote Private Walters in his last letter home to his parents. The paratrooper went overseas in January, 1944 and had been stationed in Italy and England before going into the Holland invasion. Walters served as a supply seergeant at Fort Hayes, Columbus, before Pearl Harbor. He was discharged in October, 1941, and reenlisted in the air corps, later was transferred to a paratrooper division. During his Fort Hayes assignment he was prominent on the army football, baseball and basketball teams.

Silver Star citation states: "...for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 1 October 1944, near ****, Holland. Private First Class Walters, acting as Platoon Scout, courageously made a survey of enemy-held ground, located a strong enemy position, and reported its location to his platoon leader, then voluntarily led a patrol to the enemy position. The patrol made contact with the enemy and in the ensuing fire fight, Private First Class Walters was seriously wounded by machine gun fire and later died in the hospital. Private First Class Walters' service was a credit to his organization and was in keeping with the highest standards of the United States Airborne Forces."