James Horr and Family
James A. Horr
Senior Picture from
Marysville High School Yearbook
Senior Picture from
Marysville High School Yearbook
James A. Horr was born April 8, 1919 in Marysville, Kansas.(1) He was the son of Fred Allen Horr (1866-1948) and Ellen J. Crisp Horr (1890-1966). (2) His grandfather, Luther B. Hoar/Horr came to Marshall County, Kansas in 1872 with his wife where the family remained for several generations. (3) James was one of five children that included: Charles, Rose, Anne, and Ellen. (4)
James graduated from Marysville High School in 1939 (5) While he was in high school, he pursued a general education course of study. James participated in Glee Club all four years, track 2 years, and Spanish Club his senior year. For his senior prophecy he saw himself as "taken over Glenn Cunningham's position of winning the latest honors for Kansas." (6)
James graduated from Marysville High School in 1939 (5) While he was in high school, he pursued a general education course of study. James participated in Glee Club all four years, track 2 years, and Spanish Club his senior year. For his senior prophecy he saw himself as "taken over Glenn Cunningham's position of winning the latest honors for Kansas." (6)
Private Horr
James Horr was inducted January 29, 1942 into the Army with Register Order #1419 through the Marysville, Marshall County Board. He joined the 38th Regiment 2nd Infantry Division. (7)
The Second Infantry Division was formed on October 26, 1917 during World War I.(8) It was known as the "Indian Head Division." (9) In 1940 the 38th Infantry Regiment, James Horr's unit, was added to the 2nd Infantry.(10). The 38th Regiment was known as the "Rock of Marme" after its heroic fight in World War I.(11) The 2nd Infantry in preparation for D Day transferred from its base at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas to the British Isle. (12)
The Second Infantry Division was formed on October 26, 1917 during World War I.(8) It was known as the "Indian Head Division." (9) In 1940 the 38th Infantry Regiment, James Horr's unit, was added to the 2nd Infantry.(10). The 38th Regiment was known as the "Rock of Marme" after its heroic fight in World War I.(11) The 2nd Infantry in preparation for D Day transferred from its base at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas to the British Isle. (12)
The Second Infantry Division and Normandy Campaig
Second Infantry Division
D Day Plus 1
(National Archives and Records Administration)
D Day Plus 1
(National Archives and Records Administration)
The 38th Regiment 2nd Infantry landed June 7, 1944 or D Day plus 1. Its first objective after getting off the beach head was to attach Trevieres across the Aure River. As General Roberson later recalled, "The push neither stopped nor hesitated at Trevieres spearheaded by the 9th and 38th Infantry Regiments, the division ploughed through LeMolay and St. Georges D'Elle. In two days the division ripped overland 16 miles but had advanced 10 miles as the crow flies." (13)
Another window into the action experienced by Private James Horr can be seen through the words of a fellow member of the 38th, Jesse Beazley who later reported, "Into the hedgerows we went and some of the hardest fighting I think could be anywhere in the world was in those hedgerows as we fought hand-to-hand there, a hundred yards apart. Sometimes in all day of fighting wed gain a hundred yards. We'd have to walk right into them and then hid behind the hedgerows. We dug into them hedgerows like rats, and they called us hedgerow rats. We would dig into a hedgerow and carve a place back and as long as we stayed there we'd keep digging. You never stop digging and you'd dig deeper, deeper, and deeper. You think you got a hole deep enough and when the shells come in on you, you'd get the--you'd dig deeper and deeper. I fought through the hedgerows like that which was nearly suicide. And then the night patrols we had to go on and walking through the minefields, getting trapped behind the German lines and all." (14)
Another window into the action experienced by Private James Horr can be seen through the words of a fellow member of the 38th, Jesse Beazley who later reported, "Into the hedgerows we went and some of the hardest fighting I think could be anywhere in the world was in those hedgerows as we fought hand-to-hand there, a hundred yards apart. Sometimes in all day of fighting wed gain a hundred yards. We'd have to walk right into them and then hid behind the hedgerows. We dug into them hedgerows like rats, and they called us hedgerow rats. We would dig into a hedgerow and carve a place back and as long as we stayed there we'd keep digging. You never stop digging and you'd dig deeper, deeper, and deeper. You think you got a hole deep enough and when the shells come in on you, you'd get the--you'd dig deeper and deeper. I fought through the hedgerows like that which was nearly suicide. And then the night patrols we had to go on and walking through the minefields, getting trapped behind the German lines and all." (14)
Fallen Soldier
American Cemetery
Normandy, France
(Source: Photo-Terry Healy)
Normandy, France
(Source: Photo-Terry Healy)
Private James Horr was killed June 21, 1944 as his regiment battled village to village through hedgerows towards St. Lo. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Herr is buried in the American Cemetery, Normandy France Section J, Row 21, No. 10. (15)
The pamphlet published for Memorial Day in Marysville, Kansas in 1948 noted: "James A. Horr, Co. K, 38th Infantry, Second U.S. Army died in France on June 9, 1944 from wounds received in action." (16)
The pamphlet published for Memorial Day in Marysville, Kansas in 1948 noted: "James A. Horr, Co. K, 38th Infantry, Second U.S. Army died in France on June 9, 1944 from wounds received in action." (16)
Sources:
1. Roz Edson, Email to Author 20 August 2011.
2. 1925 Kansas Census
3. "Horr Family," Marshall County Clippings Vol. I 1877-1881, p. 14. Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka, Kansas).
4. 1930 Federal Census, Marshall County, Kansas
5. Marysville High School Yearbok, 1939 p. 7 (Marysville, Kansas)
6. Marysville Yearbook 1939 p. 10.
7. World War II Selective Service Records. Kansas Adjutant General. Armed Forces Personnel Who Served Between September 16, 1940, and June 30, 1946. Kansas State Archives.
8. History of the 2nd Infantry Division. <http://www.secondinfantry.com/history> 2011.
9. Richard David Wissolik, Editor. "They Said There Was War." (Latrobe, Pa.: Saint Vincent College)
10. History of the 2nd Infantry Division
11. W. M. Robertson, "From D+1 to 105: The Story of the 2nd Infantry Division" <http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/2ndinfantry/>
12. History of the 2nd Infantry Division
13. Robertson
14. Jesse Beazley Interview, 2006. Library of Congress Veterans Oral History Project. <http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp-stories/loc.natlib.afc2001001.10474/transcript?ID=sr0001>
15. World War II Honor Roll. American Battle Monuments Commission. <http://www.abmc.gov/search/detailwwnew.php>
16. Memorial Day Program May 31, 1948, Marysville, Kansas. Shared by Galen Latta, a relative of Elroy E. Latta.
1. Roz Edson, Email to Author 20 August 2011.
2. 1925 Kansas Census
3. "Horr Family," Marshall County Clippings Vol. I 1877-1881, p. 14. Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka, Kansas).
4. 1930 Federal Census, Marshall County, Kansas
5. Marysville High School Yearbok, 1939 p. 7 (Marysville, Kansas)
6. Marysville Yearbook 1939 p. 10.
7. World War II Selective Service Records. Kansas Adjutant General. Armed Forces Personnel Who Served Between September 16, 1940, and June 30, 1946. Kansas State Archives.
8. History of the 2nd Infantry Division. <http://www.secondinfantry.com/history> 2011.
9. Richard David Wissolik, Editor. "They Said There Was War." (Latrobe, Pa.: Saint Vincent College)
10. History of the 2nd Infantry Division
11. W. M. Robertson, "From D+1 to 105: The Story of the 2nd Infantry Division" <http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/2ndinfantry/>
12. History of the 2nd Infantry Division
13. Robertson
14. Jesse Beazley Interview, 2006. Library of Congress Veterans Oral History Project. <http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp-stories/loc.natlib.afc2001001.10474/transcript?ID=sr0001>
15. World War II Honor Roll. American Battle Monuments Commission. <http://www.abmc.gov/search/detailwwnew.php>
16. Memorial Day Program May 31, 1948, Marysville, Kansas. Shared by Galen Latta, a relative of Elroy E. Latta.