Memorial

More information

Pfc James S. Hodges Jr. enlisted in Jonesboro, Arkansas on 12 December 1942.

An eyewitness account of the tragic death of James Hodges was given by Sgt William Travis Mathis. He visited Mr. and Mrs. Hodges, parents of James who was a victim of a German marksman. Sgt Matthis attended training school together with James Hodges at Commerce, Texas. They were together continuously until the time of the tragic event. They sailed overseas on 29 September 1944, but saw no actual fighting until the Battle of the Ardennes (The Battle of the Bulge). Sgt Mathis said the Americans had four divisions against for the Germans, including Hitler's Crack Panzer Division. According to Sgt Mathis, he was in a foxhole about 10 feet in front of the one James was in and they agreed that if one of them was killed and the other got back to the States, he would contact the parents of the unfortunate one and give them the details. They had been fightng for about 5 hours when he heard James say "Bill, they've killed me." He rushed back to his foxhole, picked him up and carried him about 150 yards when the Germans stopped Sgt Mathis and made him put James down. James Hodges was shot through his neck and died in less than three minutes after he was hit. Sgt Mathis was taken prisoner and stayed in various prison camps for 4 1/2 month when he was liberated by his own division, the 99th.
One of the photos on this page shows 3 friends during training in 1944. In the middle James Hodges, on the left William Matthis, and one the right is John Earl Fontenot.
The 99 Infantry Division is also known as the "Battle Babies, Checkerboard Division", because of the inexperienced soldiers.