Staff Sergeant
United States Army
James F. Carlin, the son of Charles V. and Agnes M. Carlin, was born in Charlotte, Clinton County, Iowa, on 31 January 1925. He spent a number of years at Saint Vincent’s home in Davenport.
James attended Saint Ambrose Academy from 1940 to 1943 where he was a star athlete in both football and basketball. At only five feet four inches tall, he was an effective quarterback at football. “I can’t go over ‘em, so I go under ‘em,” was one of his frequent sayings. However, in September 1943 his senior year at Saint Ambrose Academy, James decided to enlist in the United States Army.
He received his training at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma and Camp Phillips, Kansas before he left for England in April 1944. He earned several medals in marksmanship. He took part in the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France and served with General Patton’s Third army taking part in the occupation of Cherbourg and the battle for Paris. He was assigned to the 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division.
In a War Department telegram that was delivered to his sister, Alice Carlin, she learned that James was Killed-In-Action in France on 27 August 1944.
James was survived by his father, Charles V. Carlin of Cedar Rapids; brothers Vincent (with the United States Army’s Signal Corps in Greenland) and Raymond Carlin; sisters Mary Ellen Carlin, Margaret Beckman, and Alice M. Damos.
Staff Sergeant James F. Carlin, United States Army, is buried in Brittany American Cemetery in Saint James, France. Among his medals is the Purple Heart.
Source of Information:
1. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 26 October 1943, page 3.
2. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 14 January 1944, page 3.
3. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 29 September 1944, page 1.
4. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 12 October 1944, page 1.
5. Davenport Democrat and Times, 18 September 1944, page 1.
6. American Battle Monument Commission.
7. National Archives, World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel for the State of Iowa.
8. National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com/.
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