ND Veterans Affairs News: State

born Stark County, ND 13 Jan 16; resident Stark County, ND; entered AUS Chilkoot Barracks, Alaska 19 Dec 41; served European African Middle Eastern Theater; KIA 18 Feb 45 France; buried in Plot A, Row 11, Grave 3, Epinal, France.

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 Maries 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.

born Napoleon, ND 12 Nov 11; resident Logan County, ND; entered US Navy Fargo, ND 3 Jan 43; died in service 10 Apr 43 Gulfport, Miss; buried in Block 46, Lot 3, Grave 7. Napoleon Cemetery, Napoleon, ND

born Leroy, ND 27 Mar 24; resident Pembina County, ND; entered AUS Ft Snelling, Minn 19 May 43; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; died in service 29 Jan 45 Guadalcanal; buried in Section 34, Arlington, Va.

born Upham, ND 10 Jul 08; resident McHenry County, ND; entered AUS Ft Snelling, Minn 22 May 42; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; KIA 20 Apr 45; Negros, PI; buried in Grave 13790, Block 24, Section C, Ft Snelling National Cemetery, Mpls, Minn.

born Berlin, ND 26 Jul 21; resident LaMoure County, ND; entered AUS Berlin, ND 28 Feb 41; died in service 1 Dec 43 Ft Myers, Fla; buried in Dundee Cemetery, Dundee, Ill.

born Hatton, ND 26 Jan 13; resident Grand Forks County, ND; entered AUS Ft Snelling, Minn 23 May 42; served European African Middle Eastern Theater; died in service 30 Apr 43 North Africa; buried in Lot 5, Grave 2, Goose River Church Cemetery, Hatton, ND

born Knox, ND 22 Nov 17; resident Benson County, ND; entered AUS Ft Snelling, Minn 30 Mar 42; served European African Middle Eastern Theater; KIA 19 Aug 44 France; burial place unk.

born Colgan, ND 1 Jul 24; resident Divide County, ND; entered AUS Ft Snelling, Minn 29 Mar 44; served European African Middle Eastern Theater; KIA 21 Nov 44 France; buried in Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, France

Harold James Larson was born on May 8, 1922, in Pingree, North Dakota. He was the youngest of four children born to "Harry" and Hilma (Holmberg) Larson. He participated in chorus and band while at school in Pingree, Valley City, and the Fargo Ag College. Upon completing flight training, he was assigned to the 706th Bomb Squadron of the 446th Bomb Group and was deployed to England in October 1943. The unit was tasked with striking industrial targets on the continent of Europe.