PFC James Edgar Watkins

courtesy of Frances Chambers

PFC James Edgar Watkins was born 26 Sep 1909 in Cobb County, Georgia. he was the 9th of 10 children born to Sherman Lane and Mary Louella (Stephens) Watkins. His father farmed before moving the family to Marietta, Georgia to work but James' eldest brother Fred had to support the family by working as a laborer. By 1939 it was James that was supporting the family that consisted of his parents, himself his younger sister and an older sister's daughter. Working as a meat cutter in a local grocery, the Big Star Super Market he reportedly earned $389 in 1939. 

James was drafted in November 1942 and began his training at Fort McPherson, Georgia. PFC Watkins served in the 287th Regiment, 100th Infantry Division before he was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 8 Sep 1944. He fought with the unit as a rifleman until killed in action on 14 Oct 1944.

PFC Watkins was not repatriated until 1952 and was re-interred in Mountain View Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.  

James' oldest brother, Thomas Clarence Watkins, served as a F3c aboard the USS Foote (DD-169) during WW1.