Individual Details
James Dewey Sims
(13 Dec 1917 - 21 Oct 1942)
(Ref: THE DAILY CURRENT-ARGUS, Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico, dated for Wednesday, April 19, 1950, front page, reads as follows:
BODY OF CPL. SIMS TO ARRIVE SUNDAY
The body of Cpl. James D. Sims, who died in a Japanese prison camp at Corregidor in 1943, will arrive here Sunday for a military graveside service and burial in Carlsbad Cemetery.
He was a member of Battery A, 200th Coast Artillery.
Born in Eunice on Dec. 13, 1917, he had lived in Carlsbad most of his life before enlisting on Mar. 18, 1941. He was driver of the Malaga-Carlsbad school bus at one time, and also drove a bus for International Minerals and Chemicals Corporation.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Sims, Eunice; four brothers, H.W. Sims, White's City, and Joe E., Claude M., and Franklin D. Sims, all of Eunice and two sisters, Mrs. Belle Moore, Carlsbad, and Mrs. John Able, Eunice.
The graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. J. Melvin Ray will officiate.
BODY OF CPL. SIMS TO ARRIVE SUNDAY
The body of Cpl. James D. Sims, who died in a Japanese prison camp at Corregidor in 1943, will arrive here Sunday for a military graveside service and burial in Carlsbad Cemetery.
He was a member of Battery A, 200th Coast Artillery.
Born in Eunice on Dec. 13, 1917, he had lived in Carlsbad most of his life before enlisting on Mar. 18, 1941. He was driver of the Malaga-Carlsbad school bus at one time, and also drove a bus for International Minerals and Chemicals Corporation.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Sims, Eunice; four brothers, H.W. Sims, White's City, and Joe E., Claude M., and Franklin D. Sims, all of Eunice and two sisters, Mrs. Belle Moore, Carlsbad, and Mrs. John Able, Eunice.
The graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. J. Melvin Ray will officiate.
Events
| Birth | 13 Dec 1917 | Eunice, Lea County, New Mexico | |||
| Census (family)-shared | 9 Jan 1920 | (Willie Pelham Sims and Lillie Belle Hardesty) Eunice, Lea County, New Mexico |  |  | |
| Census (family)-shared | 18 Apr 1940 | (Willie Pelham Sims and Lillie Belle Hardesty) Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico | | | |
| Enlistment | 18 Mar 1941 | Santa Fe County, New Mexico | | | |
| Military | 7 May 1942 | | | ||
| Death | 21 Oct 1942 | Corregidor, Luzon, Philippines | |||
| Burial | Carlsbad Cemetery, Eddy County, New Mexico | |
Families
| Father | Willie Pelham Sims (1892 - 1973) |
| Mother | Lillie Belle Hardesty (1896 - 1963) |
| Sibling | Hurschel William Sims (1915 - 1958) |
| Sibling | Joe Evert Sims (1919 - 2001) |
| Sibling | Claude Marvin Sims (1921 - 2003) |
| Sibling | Mary Ellen Sims (1923 - 2002) |
| Sibling | Living |
| Sibling | Living |
Notes
Census (family)-shared
Willie P Sims Head Male 28 Texas - Farmer, stock farmLillie B Sims Wife Female 23 Texas
Hurshell W Sims Son Male 4 3/12 New Mexico
James D Sims Son Male 2 1/12 New Mexico
Joe E Sims Son Male 3/12 New Mexico
Census (family)-shared
Willis P Sims Head Male 47 Texas - Farming, farmLillie Bella Sims Wife Female 43 Texas
Herschell William Sims Son Male 24 New Mexico - Foreman, ranch
James Dewey Sims Son Male 22 New Mexico - Truck driver, school bus
Joe Evert Sims Son Male 20 New Mexico - Tractor driver, road construction
Claud Marvin Sims Son Male 18 New Mexico
Mary Ellen Sims Daughter Female 17 New Mexico
Nora Bell Sims Daughter Female 11 New Mexico
Franklin D Sims Son Male 6 New Mexico
Enlistment
James D SimsName (Original): SIMS JAMES D
Event Type: Military Service
Event Date: 18 Mar 1941
Term of Enlistment: Three year enlistment
Event Place: Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
Race: White
Citizenship Status: citizen
Birth Year: 1917
Birthplace: NEW MEXICO
Education Level: Grammar school
Civilian Occupation: Skilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Military Rank: Private
Army Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Army Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source Reference: Civil Life
Serial Number: 38011992
Military
James D SimsEvent Type: Military Service
Event Date: 07 May 1942
Event Place: Japan
Residence State: New Mexico
Race: White
Race (Original): 1
Military Service: Cac: Coast Artillery Corps Or Amp: Army Mine Planter Service
Military Status: Died as Prisoner of War, Not Above Cases
Military Service Branch: Army
Parent Military Unit: Group/Regiment/Commands/System
Subordinate Military Unit: 544
Military Rank: Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman
Destination Place: Philippines Unstated Philippines 14-121
Endnotes
1. United States Census, 1920 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4VP-F2B.
2. United States Census, 1940 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMRH-4HV.
3. United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMFY-SJG.
4. United States, World War II Prisoners of War, 1941-1945 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29D-QD9R.
5. Find a Grave Memorial 66481048.