ND Veterans Affairs News: State

Technical Sergeant Edward Crimmins was born in Pipestone, Minnesota on October 11, 1907. He entered the US Army in Spokane, Washington on March 2, 1942 as a resident of Emmons County, North Dakota.

He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. 

Flight Engineer aboard U.S. Army Air Corps B-29-5-BW Superfortress #42-6286, nicknamed "Praying Mantis."

born Calvin, NDak 11 Jan 18; resident Cass County, NDak; entered USMC Quantico, Va 24 Jul 41; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; KIA 25 Feb 45 Iwo Jima; buried in Lebanon Cemetery, Langdon, NDak. 

born Jamestown, NDak 17 Mar 19; resident Burleigh County, NDak; entered US Army Ft Lincoln, NDak 9 Aug 40; served European African Middle Eastern Theater; died in service 10 Aug 43 Sicily; buried in 
Plot 3, Grave 6, Block 104 Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck, NDak. 

born Dickinson, NDak 26 Jun 17; resident Stark County, NDak; entered AUS Dickinson, NDak 10 Feb 41; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; died in service 28 Nov 42 Guadalcanal; buried in Grave 3128, Section B Ft Snelling National Cemetery, Mpls, Minn. 

He was born on January 14, 1917 in North Dakota. His mother was from South Dakota and his father was from Canada. According to census records he had a younger brother and younger sister. Frank's father was a farm laborer in 1920. By 1930 he farmed his own land. Frank had moved out before the 1940's census.

Frank had a high school education. Before joining the army air corp he worked as a salesperson.

Frank enlisted in the army air corp on March 14, 1941. He became a sergeant in the 18th Army Air Force Fighter Squadron which flew P-38s.

born Wimbledon, NDak 12 Oct 03; resident Barnes County, NDak; entered AUS Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii 30 Oct 39; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; died in service 7 Jan 51 Laison APB, Wash; burial place unk. 

born Craik, Canada 16 Jan 06; resident Cavalier County, NDak; entered AUS Ft Snelling, Minn 21 May 42; served European African Middle Eastern Theater; died in service 14 Jan 45 Florence, Italy; buried in Plot 65, Row A, Grave 65-A St Edwards Cemetery, Nekoma, NDak. 

born St John, NDak 19 Aug 17; resident Rolette County, NDak; entered AUS Fargo, NDak 13 Mar 41; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; died in service 23 Nov 44 Hollandia, New Guinea; buried in family plot, Holy Cross Cemetery, Fargo, NDak.

James Boyd Courtney was born on February 23, 1920, in Lawton, Ramsey County, North Dakota. He was the son of Alex and Margaret (née Boyd) Courtney of Lawton (both parents born in Ireland); husband of Edna May Courtney of Hornchurch, Essex, England; brother of William, David, Lillian, Hannah, Agnes, and Alice.

A farm laborer by trade, residing in Lawton, North Dakota, USA, he enlisted in the RCAF on March 10, 1941, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. James served in the 90 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Pilot Officer.

born Jamestown, NDak 11 Aug 20; resident Kidder County, NDak; entered AUS Fargo, NDak 10 Feb 41; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; KIA 25 Nov 42 Guadalcanal; buried in Plot A, Grave 1003 at National Memorial of Pacific, Hawaii.