Beloved son of:
Victor James Baylis (1887-1942)
Berneice A. Stewart Baylis (1893-1973)
Beloved brother of:
Jean Baylis Upham (1915-2000)
Patricia Margaret Baylis Crego (1923-2008)
Beloved grandson of:
James J. Baylis (1853-1915)
Margaret Welch Baylis (1862-1948)
Alva L. Stewart (1864-1894)
Myrtle Z. Lamphere Stewart (1871-1959)
Beloved uncle of:
Mary Stewart Crego Boulden
James Baylis Crego
Susan Elizabeth Crego Hopkins
Elizabeth Ann Upham (1949-2008)
Cynthia Upham Wiltgen
Devoted master of Freckles
* * *
James J. Baylis was born on June 9, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he enjoyed a happy childhood with his mother, father, and two sisters. Summers were spent swimming and playing tennis at Wilcox Park. He was devoted to his English Springer Spaniel, Freckles. Jim graduated from Central High School in 1937 where he was a member of the Central High School track team, known as Central High School's "ace miler". Following graduation, Jim attended Grand Rapids Junior College where he majored in engineering. Jim was born with a natural affinity for music. His love of music came to fruition playing saxophone in a jazz band during college.
James J. Baylis was one of the first men from Grand Rapids to be drafted prior to America's entrance into World War II on December 7, 1941. He underwent basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, followed by maneuvers at Camp Polk in Louisiana and Fort Jackson in South Carolina. On April 11, 1942 the 1st Armored Division was ordered to Fort Dix, New Jersey to await deployment overseas. The division boarded the Queen Mary at the New York Port of Embarkation at the Brooklyn Army Terminal on May 11, 1942, arriving in Northern Ireland on May 16, 1942 for further training on the moors before moving to England on October 29, 1942 in preparation for the Allied Invasion of North Africa, code name: Operation Torch.
PFC James J. Baylis was killed-in-action on Sunday morning, November 29, 1942 in Souk El Arba, Tunisia. He was a driver in the armored tank division (CCB) and had been in two previous battles. The 1st Armored Division landed in Oran, Algeria on November 8, 1942. Combat Command B (CCB) was the first armored division to see combat in WWII. PFC Baylis was interred in the American Cemetery in Souk Ahras, Algeria prior to being moved to the American Cemetery in Tunis in 1947. He was repatriated and laid to rest with full military honors in Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 9, 1948, his 30th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for "military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death". He rests with his beloved father, mother, and sister: Victor James Baylis, Berneice A. Stewart Baylis, and Patricia Margaret Baylis Crego.
* * *
United States Army
1st Armored Division
13th Armored Regiment
Company B
* * *
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
The WWII Registry of Remembrances
The National WWII Memorial - Washington, D.C.
* * *
They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or storm, each in a windowless palace of rest. They are at peace, in the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.
* * *
I think continually of those who were truly great. Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history through corridors of light where the hours are suns, endless and singing.
Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields, see how these names are fêted by the waving grass and by the streamers of white cloud and whispers of wind in the listening sky, the names of those who in their lives fought for life, who wore at their hearts the fire's center. Born of the sun, they traveled a short while towards the sun, and left the vivid air signed with their honor.
* * *
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
* * *
Victor James Baylis (1887-1942)
Berneice A. Stewart Baylis (1893-1973)
Beloved brother of:
Jean Baylis Upham (1915-2000)
Patricia Margaret Baylis Crego (1923-2008)
Beloved grandson of:
James J. Baylis (1853-1915)
Margaret Welch Baylis (1862-1948)
Alva L. Stewart (1864-1894)
Myrtle Z. Lamphere Stewart (1871-1959)
Beloved uncle of:
Mary Stewart Crego Boulden
James Baylis Crego
Susan Elizabeth Crego Hopkins
Elizabeth Ann Upham (1949-2008)
Cynthia Upham Wiltgen
Devoted master of Freckles
* * *
James J. Baylis was born on June 9, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he enjoyed a happy childhood with his mother, father, and two sisters. Summers were spent swimming and playing tennis at Wilcox Park. He was devoted to his English Springer Spaniel, Freckles. Jim graduated from Central High School in 1937 where he was a member of the Central High School track team, known as Central High School's "ace miler". Following graduation, Jim attended Grand Rapids Junior College where he majored in engineering. Jim was born with a natural affinity for music. His love of music came to fruition playing saxophone in a jazz band during college.
James J. Baylis was one of the first men from Grand Rapids to be drafted prior to America's entrance into World War II on December 7, 1941. He underwent basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, followed by maneuvers at Camp Polk in Louisiana and Fort Jackson in South Carolina. On April 11, 1942 the 1st Armored Division was ordered to Fort Dix, New Jersey to await deployment overseas. The division boarded the Queen Mary at the New York Port of Embarkation at the Brooklyn Army Terminal on May 11, 1942, arriving in Northern Ireland on May 16, 1942 for further training on the moors before moving to England on October 29, 1942 in preparation for the Allied Invasion of North Africa, code name: Operation Torch.
PFC James J. Baylis was killed-in-action on Sunday morning, November 29, 1942 in Souk El Arba, Tunisia. He was a driver in the armored tank division (CCB) and had been in two previous battles. The 1st Armored Division landed in Oran, Algeria on November 8, 1942. Combat Command B (CCB) was the first armored division to see combat in WWII. PFC Baylis was interred in the American Cemetery in Souk Ahras, Algeria prior to being moved to the American Cemetery in Tunis in 1947. He was repatriated and laid to rest with full military honors in Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 9, 1948, his 30th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for "military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death". He rests with his beloved father, mother, and sister: Victor James Baylis, Berneice A. Stewart Baylis, and Patricia Margaret Baylis Crego.
* * *
United States Army
1st Armored Division
13th Armored Regiment
Company B
* * *
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
The WWII Registry of Remembrances
The National WWII Memorial - Washington, D.C.
* * *
They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or storm, each in a windowless palace of rest. They are at peace, in the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.
* * *
I think continually of those who were truly great. Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history through corridors of light where the hours are suns, endless and singing.
Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields, see how these names are fêted by the waving grass and by the streamers of white cloud and whispers of wind in the listening sky, the names of those who in their lives fought for life, who wore at their hearts the fire's center. Born of the sun, they traveled a short while towards the sun, and left the vivid air signed with their honor.
* * *
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
* * *
Beloved son of:
Victor James Baylis (1887-1942)
Berneice A. Stewart Baylis (1893-1973)
Beloved brother of:
Jean Baylis Upham (1915-2000)
Patricia Margaret Baylis Crego (1923-2008)
Beloved grandson of:
James J. Baylis (1853-1915)
Margaret Welch Baylis (1862-1948)
Alva L. Stewart (1864-1894)
Myrtle Z. Lamphere Stewart (1871-1959)
Beloved uncle of:
Mary Stewart Crego Boulden
James Baylis Crego
Susan Elizabeth Crego Hopkins
Elizabeth Ann Upham (1949-2008)
Cynthia Upham Wiltgen
Devoted master of Freckles
* * *
James J. Baylis was born on June 9, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he enjoyed a happy childhood with his mother, father, and two sisters. Summers were spent swimming and playing tennis at Wilcox Park. He was devoted to his English Springer Spaniel, Freckles. Jim graduated from Central High School in 1937 where he was a member of the Central High School track team, known as Central High School's "ace miler". Following graduation, Jim attended Grand Rapids Junior College where he majored in engineering. Jim was born with a natural affinity for music. His love of music came to fruition playing saxophone in a jazz band during college.
James J. Baylis was one of the first men from Grand Rapids to be drafted prior to America's entrance into World War II on December 7, 1941. He underwent basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, followed by maneuvers at Camp Polk in Louisiana and Fort Jackson in South Carolina. On April 11, 1942 the 1st Armored Division was ordered to Fort Dix, New Jersey to await deployment overseas. The division boarded the Queen Mary at the New York Port of Embarkation at the Brooklyn Army Terminal on May 11, 1942, arriving in Northern Ireland on May 16, 1942 for further training on the moors before moving to England on October 29, 1942 in preparation for the Allied Invasion of North Africa, code name: Operation Torch.
PFC James J. Baylis was killed-in-action on Sunday morning, November 29, 1942 in Souk El Arba, Tunisia. He was a driver in the armored tank division (CCB) and had been in two previous battles. The 1st Armored Division landed in Oran, Algeria on November 8, 1942. Combat Command B (CCB) was the first armored division to see combat in WWII. PFC Baylis was interred in the American Cemetery in Souk Ahras, Algeria prior to being moved to the American Cemetery in Tunis in 1947. He was repatriated and laid to rest with full military honors in Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 9, 1948, his 30th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for "military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death". He rests with his beloved father, mother, and sister: Victor James Baylis, Berneice A. Stewart Baylis, and Patricia Margaret Baylis Crego.
* * *
United States Army
1st Armored Division
13th Armored Regiment
Company B
* * *
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
The WWII Registry of Remembrances
The National WWII Memorial - Washington, D.C.
* * *
They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or storm, each in a windowless palace of rest. They are at peace, in the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.
* * *
I think continually of those who were truly great. Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history through corridors of light where the hours are suns, endless and singing.
Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields, see how these names are fêted by the waving grass and by the streamers of white cloud and whispers of wind in the listening sky, the names of those who in their lives fought for life, who wore at their hearts the fire's center. Born of the sun, they traveled a short while towards the sun, and left the vivid air signed with their honor.
* * *
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
* * *
Victor James Baylis (1887-1942)
Berneice A. Stewart Baylis (1893-1973)
Beloved brother of:
Jean Baylis Upham (1915-2000)
Patricia Margaret Baylis Crego (1923-2008)
Beloved grandson of:
James J. Baylis (1853-1915)
Margaret Welch Baylis (1862-1948)
Alva L. Stewart (1864-1894)
Myrtle Z. Lamphere Stewart (1871-1959)
Beloved uncle of:
Mary Stewart Crego Boulden
James Baylis Crego
Susan Elizabeth Crego Hopkins
Elizabeth Ann Upham (1949-2008)
Cynthia Upham Wiltgen
Devoted master of Freckles
* * *
James J. Baylis was born on June 9, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he enjoyed a happy childhood with his mother, father, and two sisters. Summers were spent swimming and playing tennis at Wilcox Park. He was devoted to his English Springer Spaniel, Freckles. Jim graduated from Central High School in 1937 where he was a member of the Central High School track team, known as Central High School's "ace miler". Following graduation, Jim attended Grand Rapids Junior College where he majored in engineering. Jim was born with a natural affinity for music. His love of music came to fruition playing saxophone in a jazz band during college.
James J. Baylis was one of the first men from Grand Rapids to be drafted prior to America's entrance into World War II on December 7, 1941. He underwent basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, followed by maneuvers at Camp Polk in Louisiana and Fort Jackson in South Carolina. On April 11, 1942 the 1st Armored Division was ordered to Fort Dix, New Jersey to await deployment overseas. The division boarded the Queen Mary at the New York Port of Embarkation at the Brooklyn Army Terminal on May 11, 1942, arriving in Northern Ireland on May 16, 1942 for further training on the moors before moving to England on October 29, 1942 in preparation for the Allied Invasion of North Africa, code name: Operation Torch.
PFC James J. Baylis was killed-in-action on Sunday morning, November 29, 1942 in Souk El Arba, Tunisia. He was a driver in the armored tank division (CCB) and had been in two previous battles. The 1st Armored Division landed in Oran, Algeria on November 8, 1942. Combat Command B (CCB) was the first armored division to see combat in WWII. PFC Baylis was interred in the American Cemetery in Souk Ahras, Algeria prior to being moved to the American Cemetery in Tunis in 1947. He was repatriated and laid to rest with full military honors in Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 9, 1948, his 30th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for "military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death". He rests with his beloved father, mother, and sister: Victor James Baylis, Berneice A. Stewart Baylis, and Patricia Margaret Baylis Crego.
* * *
United States Army
1st Armored Division
13th Armored Regiment
Company B
* * *
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
The WWII Registry of Remembrances
The National WWII Memorial - Washington, D.C.
* * *
They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or storm, each in a windowless palace of rest. They are at peace, in the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.
* * *
I think continually of those who were truly great. Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history through corridors of light where the hours are suns, endless and singing.
Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields, see how these names are fêted by the waving grass and by the streamers of white cloud and whispers of wind in the listening sky, the names of those who in their lives fought for life, who wore at their hearts the fire's center. Born of the sun, they traveled a short while towards the sun, and left the vivid air signed with their honor.
* * *
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
* * *
Inscription
PFC. JAMES J. BAYLIS
