James W. Davenport
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
World War II Veteran


James W Davenport was born on 15 February 1926 at Dubois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. He was the only son of Dr J.B. and Kathryn Davenport. In 1930, the small family was living in DuBois where JB was a dentist. By 1940, Kathryn was a widow. Her and James were still in DuBois.

James had four years of high school at and work as a chauffeur, taxi, cab, and bus driver before entering the service. He enlisted in the Army Air Force on 12 March 1944 at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. After basic training, he was sent to advanced flying school at Alva, Oklahoma. There he was assigned to Flight 5, Squadron B.

On 2 July 1944, Private James W Davenport died from meningitis, uremia and edema of the lung. His final resting place is Morningside cemetery, DuBois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.

On the anniversary of Armistice Night, 11 Nov 1945, a memorial service was held at the Senior High School Auditorium in DuBois. This service was "A tribute and a Memorial for all from this community who gave their lives in World War II that we, the living, might enjoy the four freedoms". It was sponsored by the Montgomery Post No. 17 American Legion and the James J Patterson Post No 813 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Five religious leaders offered prayers – Rabbi Paul Katz, Rev W. Harold Sloan, Rev J.J. Cronin, Rev Howard W. Walenta and Rev Wm. Fargo Bayle. Chaplain Sigler gave the eulogy, a chaplain from Post 813 gave the invocation and a chaplain from Post 17 gave the benediction. Eighty-three men were listed on the program who made the supreme sacrifice in the war from this area.

Private James W Davenport, we thank you for your service, dedication and sacrifice to our country. You are not forgotten.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org/). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.

Return To World War Veterans II C-D