On this Memorial Day 2021, as we honor those who have died in the service of our country, I am remembering a second cousin on my father’s side, 1Lt James Norwood Amos. James fought with the 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division in WWII. He was among the many that stormed the beaches of Normandy in June of 1944. While he survived the beach landing, he was killed 30 days later, on July 6, 1944, as the 357th “attempted to take Beaucoudray, a small town whose capture was to develop into one of the toughest engagements to the entire war. This six day battle saw the type of slugfest which is so costly to both sides”*.  He is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer,. Basse-Normandie, France. He made the ultimate sacrifice. I salute him for his valor. And I honor all of those who served and died so courageously.

The grave marker is in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. The two portrait pictures are James’ Junior and Senior High School portraits.

*Regimental History of the 357th Infantry; Compiled by SSgt. George von Roeder; First Edition
printed by the Ferdinand Nicki Buchdruckerei Weiden, Oberfalz, Bavaria

NOTE: I had previously included a photo that I believed was 1LT Amos in uniform, though the uniform looked more like a Navy uniform than Army. Upon further comparison of the photo to photos of James’ brother, I believe it was his brother in the photo rather than James. So I have edited this page and removed it. The remaining photos are of James in high school.