James Humphreys

World War II veteran JAMES HUMPHREYS passed away peacefully at age 100 at The Village at Summerville in Summerville, S.C., on Dec. 30, 2024.

Born on Sept. 1, 1924, in Edwardsville, Pa., to James and Myfanwy Humphreys in Edwardsville, Pa., James graduated from Edwardsville High School, was a member of the Edwardsville Volunteer Fire Department, and then volunteered to join the U.S. Army in 1943. Impressed with the shiny boots – and $50 a month in extra pay – James volunteered to become a paratrooper.

James joined I Company of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, and completed jump school at Camp Toccoa, Ga., before the regiment was sent to Camp Mackall, N.C. They also trained in jungle warfare in Louisiana before being sent to Dobodura, New Guinea.

James first engaged with the forces of Imperial Japan on Leyte, the Philippines, in November and December of 1944. After the 511th jumped onto Tagaytay Ridge, James and I Company participated in the Battle for Manilla, where he was wounded on Feb. 14, 1945.

Elements of the 511th rescued nearly 2,200 Allied military and civilian prisoners of war from the Los Banos internment camp as the Japanese garrison was allegedly preparing for mass executions, with the POWs seeing the white parachutes of the rescuing troopers filling the sky and crying out, “They look like angels.” From then on, the 11th Airborne Division was nicknamed “The Angels.”

James was a member of the 511th regiment that landed in Japan days before the U.S.S. Missouri arrived to accept the Japanese surrender. James and his unit were then sent to northern Japan.

During his war service, James was awarded a Purple Heart and two bronze stars among other theater medals.

James returned home, where he married Mary June Taylor and raised three sons. After earning an engineering degree, he was a longtime employee at Pratt & Whitney in Palm Beach County, Fla., and eventually became a quality control supervisor. He lived in Hobe Hills, Hobe Sound; Jupiter; and Seagate Harbor, Palm City, while working at Pratt.

He also spent four years working at Avco Lycoming in Charleston, S.C., where he and his family lived on James Island.

James was a lifetime member of the Elks and VFW, and for many years was a member of the Stuart Elks club.

A devoted dad, James is survived by his incredibly proud family that includes his three sons and his beloved daughters-in-law, retired educator James Taylor Humphreys and wife Pam, of Tallahassee, Fla.; former Fort Pierce News-Tribune Sports Editor Kim Taylor Humphreys and wife Sharon, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; pharmacist Scott Taylor Humphreys and wife Susan, of Summerville, S.C.; granddaughters Tara Bean, Greensboro, Md.; Jamie Humphreys, West Palm Beach, Fla., and Kimberly Humphreys, Mount Dora, Fla.; grandson Jeremy Humphreys, New Castle, Ind.; great-granddaughter Justess Bean, Greensboro, Md.; and great-grandson Bruce Humphreys, New Castle, Ind.

James is predeceased by his beloved wife Mary June Humphreys, his sister Marion “Mickie” Boyle, and his U.S. Army veteran great-grandson Brighton Bean.

James will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., where his Mary June and great-grandson Brighton await.

Luckily to have been raised by, adventured with, and loved by this great unsung American hero, your family and a grateful nation salute you, James!

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com

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