James P. Laughy

Picture of the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C.
County:
Cass

Date of Loss:

Military Service:
    Rank:
    Private First Class
    Branch of Service:
    Army
    Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent:
    Company G
    Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:
    3rd Battalion
    Regiment / Group / Brigade:
    5th Marine Regiment
    Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:
    1st Marine Division
    Major Battle/Theatre:
    Korea
    Conflicts Served:
    Korean War

Circumstances:

Private First Class Laughy was a member of the 1st Marine Division. He was Wounded in Action while fighting the enemy in Korea and died of those wounds on February 27, 1953.

Biography:

Private First Class James Patrick "Jim" Laughy was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on December 27, 1930, to Forrest John "Frosty" Laughy and Grace Smith Laughy. He was an only child. Forrest was born in the US and that allowed Jim to get his citizenship and become a Marine. He joined the Marines in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 2, 1951. He served in Korea and regularly wrote letters home. He died in service in Korea from wounds he received in battle. Following his death his parents wished for him to be buried in Edmonton by his grandparents. This wished was honored and he had a full Marine Military burial in Edmonton. According to family members this took a huge effort from the US, Ottawa and James' father. His father also insisted that James' body was met at the border with a guard. He is buried in Saint Joachims Cemetery, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.