James K. Reid
Date of Birth: September 8, 1909
Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio
Father and Mother’s Names: Clarence and Katherine (Kessi) Reid
Spouse and Children’s names: Ruth Lois (Coulson) Reid (wife) and Susan (daughter). James’ 1942 enlistment record lists him as a widower, and Nevada death records show that Ruth died from influenza on January 9, 1941.
Date Entered Service: October 28, 1942
Service Branch: Army Air Corps
Rank/Specialty: Corporal
Service ID: TBD
Division/Company/Unit info: 340th NT (Night Training) Squadron
Riley Connection: The 1920 and 1930 U.S. Census shows the Reid family as living at 421 North 16th St. in Manhattan and lists his father as teaching electrical engineering.
Date of Death (and Age): April 1, 1944 (age 34)
Place of Death: Harris County, TX
Grave Location: Sunset Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas (Plot 20 A 24 S).
Bio: James attended Manhattan High School, where he was a member of the French Club, the Hi-Y Club, the Science Club, and was the junior class vice president. His 1940 WWII draft card lists him as working for the Standard Oil Co-Op in California and shows Blake Wareham as his next of kin. The 1940 U.S. Census places James in Nevada, with a wife Ruth and daughter Susan. Ruth died in 1941 of kidney failure due to influenza. In 1942, James joined the Army Air Corps and served with the 340th N. T. Squadron. He died in Harris County, Texas, and is buried in Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.
