James H. Suman

Private First Class

United States Army

James H. Suman, son of Harold I. and Grace McInerny Suman, was born in Burlington, Iowa on 6 April 1924.

While in high school James was prominent in athletics having played on the football, basketball, and baseball teams.  During his senior year, he was named to the All Little 6 Football Conference Team.  He graduated from Burlington High School in 1943.  After graduated, he worked at the West Burlington rail shops.

In September 1943, James entered the United States Army.  He was assigned at Huntsville, Texas where he was in a specialized training program until the program was discontinued.  James was later transferred to the 393rd Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division at Camp Maxey, Texas.  While in Texas, he married fellow classmate Janet Binder.  A couple of weeks later in September 1944, James left for the European Theater of Operations.  On 6 February 1945, Janet received a War Department telegram, informing her that James was seriously wounded in action in Belgium on 20 January.  Three days later, Janet received another telegram informing her that James died from his wounds on 24 January.

A requiem mass was offered by Father Mel G. Morrin at West Burlington’s Saint Mary’s Catholic Church for James on 13 February 1945.  Officers of the mass were celebrant, Father Morrin; decon, Father Edward Shepherd; sub-deacon Father Patrick Prior; and master of ceremonies, Richard Pfeifer.  The choir of the church sang.  The Youth Club of Saint Mary’s recited the rosary for James, a former member of the club, Monday evening. 

James was survived by his wife; his parents; and his sister, Janice.

After the war, James' family requested that his remains be returned to Burlington.  In December 1948, Private First Class James H. Suman, United States Army, was buried in West Burlington’s Catholic Cemetery.

Source of Information:

1.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 26 July 1944, page 8.

2.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 6 February 1945, page 2.

3.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 9 February 1945, page 2.

4.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 12 February 1945, page 2.

5.  Des Moines County Iowa Veterans Buried with Markers, compiled by the Des Moines County Genealogical Society, 1984. 

6.  National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com/

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