ND Veterans Affairs News: State

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. 

born Grand Forks, NDak 21 Oct 1900; resident Grand Forks County, NDak; entered AUS Manila, Philippine 
Islands 10 Jan 42; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; died in service 10 Mar 43 Philippine Islands; buried in Lot 99, 1st addition, Grave 3, Section 14 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, NDak. 

born New Rockford, NDak 13 Sep 18; resident Eddy County, NDak; entered AUS San Francisco, Calif 8 Apr 41; died in service 12 Nov 45 Lincoln, Nebr; burial place unk. 

born Grand Forks, NDak 17 Sep 16; resident Grand Forks County, NDak; entered AUS Grand Forks, NDak 10 Feb 41; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; KIA 26 Oct 42 South Pacific; buried Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, NDak

Sergeant Conners, who was born in Mason City, IA, on April 26, 1920, came to Minot in 1928 with his parents and his home was here until he left to enter service. He was graduated from Minot High School in June 1939 and while in school was active in football and other school activities.

He entered the AUS Minot on April 1, 1941 and was killed in action in Luzon, Philippine Islands on February 4, 1945.

He is buried in Lot 68, Block 1, Section 12 Rosehill Cemetery, Minot, North Dakota.

born Bluegrass, NDak 15 Jan 23; resident LaMoure County, NDak; entered AUS Ft Snelling, Minn 23 Jun 44; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; died in service 24 May 45 Okinawa; buried in Lot 21-N1/2, Mount Hope Cemetery, Edgeley, NDak

born Lexington, Ill 8 Jul 97; resident Richland County, NDak; entered AUS Abercrombie, NDak 12 Jun 25; served European African Middle Eastern Theater; died in service 16 Mar 51 place unk; burial place unk

Wilfred Phelps “Bill” Comrie was born on July 8, 1915, in Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. He was the son of Edward Phelps Comrie and Emelie Mildred Bousquet Comrie.

A graduate of Central High School, Bill left North Dakota Agricultural College in March 1941 to join the RCAF. He served in the 102 (R.A.F.) Squadron as a Warrant Officer Class II pilot. He was killed on March 29, 1943, on Halifax aircraft # JB 848 when he was trying to evade another aircraft at night when his aircraft stalled and crashed at Pocklington, England. Five crew members were also killed in this incident.

Major Charles H. Colwell was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada. March 24, 1915, and received his elementary education in Grand Forks and Park River, North Dakota. He was graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural and Training School in 1933. In 1936 he entered the United States Military Academy graduating with the Class of 1940. He received his training as a fighter pilot at Hamilton Field, and was sent overseas, serving in China and East India during 1942 and 1943. KIA when his plane crashed in Eastern Assam Province, India, June 2, 1943.