In Memory of U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps Private
James Elton Wagner
Tyndall, South Dakota Bon Homme County
June 9, 1920 – April 3, 1945
Killed as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese at Tawian, Formosa
James “Jim” Elton Wagner was born on June 9, 1920, at Tyndall, Bon Homme County, South Dakota, to Morris and Alice Wagner. He had four sisters: Carol, Mary Alice, Frances, and Judith. When he was six years old, James moved with his family to Nebraska, and then moved back to Tyndall in 1930, where he completed his educated and graduated in 1938. He was known as “outstanding in athletics, being a four year letterman in football and basketball. Jim was very popular and well liked by his school mates and was elected president of the student body during his senior year.” James attended Morningside College briefly and worked for a local doctor before going to California in 1940 to work for Shell Oil Company at Rivera, California.
James Wagner entered active service on September 16, 1941, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He “was sent directly to the Philippines, leaving the United States on October 27, and arriving in Manila on November 20, just two weeks before Pearl Harbor.” The last letter the family received from him was on February 15, 1942. After the five month siege on Bataan, Private Wagner and his comrades surrendered to the Japanese in April of 1942. After surviving the Bataan Death March, for the next three years, Wagner was a prisoner of war of the Japanese on the Philippine Islands; his parents received several brief cards from him. Shortly before the Philippines were recaptured by United States forces, Private James Wagner was moved to Formosa, where he died on April 3, 1945, of beriberi.
It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Private James E. Wagner, who was previously reported as Prisoner of War of the Japanese Government in the Philippine Islands. As official message has now been received which states that he died at Tawian Prisoner of War camp in Japan on 3 April 1945 as a result of enteritis and beriberi. I realize the great suspense you have endured during this unfortunately long period and now, the finality to those hopes which you have cherished for his safety….
James Wagner is buried at Q 70 at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Sheila Hansen, Fallen Sons State Coordinator, Spearfish, SD. Information for this entry was provided by an application for a SD veteran’s bonus payment, the Tyndall Tribune and Register, 11/22/45 issue, and the Daily Republic, 11/23/45 issue.
