Charlie, born in Los Angeles, California and a resident of Carlsbad, passed away at his home. He was predeceased by his parents Frank James and Lena Martin-James; and sister Alice Eubank
Charlie was survived by his wife of 70 years, Lucille James of the family home; son Chuck James (Darla) of Mead, Oklahoma; daughter Joanna Sieberg (Jerry) of Carlsbad; grandchildren: Joyce Miller, Stacey Sieberg (Mark Bellanca), Frank James, Shannon Sieberg, and Justin Sieberg; great-grandchildren: Liberty Sieberg, Maddisan Hobbs, Sequoia and Luke Bellanca, Nathan and Gabriel James, Bella and Vivi Sieberg; sister Gloria Kelley of Lubbock, Texas; and brother Bob James of Las Cruces.
Charlie was the oldest child of Frank and Lena James. After a brief stay in Los Angeles, his parents returned to Carlsbad where Charlie, his sisters and brother were raised. His roots run deep in Eddy County. The James family arrived in Eddy (later Carlsbad) from Midland, Texas in 1898. The Martin family arrived from Fort Davis, Texas in 1919. Charlie was a life-long member of St. Edward Catholic Church, attending St.Edward Parochial School for eight years. He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1940. Charlie earned the nickname "Little Boy Blue" during his three seasons as a 130 pound running back on the Carlsbad Cavemen football team. Though small in size, he had the heart and speed to earn All-State honors.
In his senior year, Charlie enlisted in the New Mexico National Guard, 111th Cavalry, Troop I; which was later converted to the 200th Coast Artillery Corps. On 3 Jan 1941, He and Lucille Davis married, just three days before the 200th left for Fort Bliss Texas. He was serving in Battery F in the Philippines at the onset of World War II. For four months, with little food or ammunition, he and his comrades fought until Bataan was surrendered on April 9, 1942. He survived the infamous Bataan Death March that followed. Charlie endured 3 ½ years as a prisoner of the Imperial Japanese. After the Bataan Death March, he spent time in Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan, and Bilibid Prison before being moved to Japan on the hell ship, Nagato Maru. In Japan, he was exploited as slave laborer for the Japanese war effort. For more than two years he worked in a steel mill in Osaka (Yodogawa Bunsho), then later moved to Oeyama, where he unloaded supply ships, along with his work in a nickel smelter. Charlie was Honorably discharged in May 1946 and he returned to his family and ranch life in Carlsbad.
Except for a few months working at Potash Company of America after high school graduation, Charlie's life was devoted to ranching. His land and his cattle southeast of Carlsbad were his passion. He especially valued the life-long friendships he maintained with other P.O.W's in New Mexico and across the country. For his service, his awards included: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, New Mexico Bataan Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Distinguished Unit Badge. Charlie was a life member of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, New Mexico Bataan Veterans Organization, and BPOE #1558. Charlie was the last 200th Coast Artillery (AA) survivor living in Carlsbad.
Charlie was survived by his wife of 70 years, Lucille James of the family home; son Chuck James (Darla) of Mead, Oklahoma; daughter Joanna Sieberg (Jerry) of Carlsbad; grandchildren: Joyce Miller, Stacey Sieberg (Mark Bellanca), Frank James, Shannon Sieberg, and Justin Sieberg; great-grandchildren: Liberty Sieberg, Maddisan Hobbs, Sequoia and Luke Bellanca, Nathan and Gabriel James, Bella and Vivi Sieberg; sister Gloria Kelley of Lubbock, Texas; and brother Bob James of Las Cruces.
Charlie was the oldest child of Frank and Lena James. After a brief stay in Los Angeles, his parents returned to Carlsbad where Charlie, his sisters and brother were raised. His roots run deep in Eddy County. The James family arrived in Eddy (later Carlsbad) from Midland, Texas in 1898. The Martin family arrived from Fort Davis, Texas in 1919. Charlie was a life-long member of St. Edward Catholic Church, attending St.Edward Parochial School for eight years. He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1940. Charlie earned the nickname "Little Boy Blue" during his three seasons as a 130 pound running back on the Carlsbad Cavemen football team. Though small in size, he had the heart and speed to earn All-State honors.
In his senior year, Charlie enlisted in the New Mexico National Guard, 111th Cavalry, Troop I; which was later converted to the 200th Coast Artillery Corps. On 3 Jan 1941, He and Lucille Davis married, just three days before the 200th left for Fort Bliss Texas. He was serving in Battery F in the Philippines at the onset of World War II. For four months, with little food or ammunition, he and his comrades fought until Bataan was surrendered on April 9, 1942. He survived the infamous Bataan Death March that followed. Charlie endured 3 ½ years as a prisoner of the Imperial Japanese. After the Bataan Death March, he spent time in Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan, and Bilibid Prison before being moved to Japan on the hell ship, Nagato Maru. In Japan, he was exploited as slave laborer for the Japanese war effort. For more than two years he worked in a steel mill in Osaka (Yodogawa Bunsho), then later moved to Oeyama, where he unloaded supply ships, along with his work in a nickel smelter. Charlie was Honorably discharged in May 1946 and he returned to his family and ranch life in Carlsbad.
Except for a few months working at Potash Company of America after high school graduation, Charlie's life was devoted to ranching. His land and his cattle southeast of Carlsbad were his passion. He especially valued the life-long friendships he maintained with other P.O.W's in New Mexico and across the country. For his service, his awards included: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, New Mexico Bataan Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Distinguished Unit Badge. Charlie was a life member of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, New Mexico Bataan Veterans Organization, and BPOE #1558. Charlie was the last 200th Coast Artillery (AA) survivor living in Carlsbad.
Charlie, born in Los Angeles, California and a resident of Carlsbad, passed away at his home. He was predeceased by his parents Frank James and Lena Martin-James; and sister Alice Eubank
Charlie was survived by his wife of 70 years, Lucille James of the family home; son Chuck James (Darla) of Mead, Oklahoma; daughter Joanna Sieberg (Jerry) of Carlsbad; grandchildren: Joyce Miller, Stacey Sieberg (Mark Bellanca), Frank James, Shannon Sieberg, and Justin Sieberg; great-grandchildren: Liberty Sieberg, Maddisan Hobbs, Sequoia and Luke Bellanca, Nathan and Gabriel James, Bella and Vivi Sieberg; sister Gloria Kelley of Lubbock, Texas; and brother Bob James of Las Cruces.
Charlie was the oldest child of Frank and Lena James. After a brief stay in Los Angeles, his parents returned to Carlsbad where Charlie, his sisters and brother were raised. His roots run deep in Eddy County. The James family arrived in Eddy (later Carlsbad) from Midland, Texas in 1898. The Martin family arrived from Fort Davis, Texas in 1919. Charlie was a life-long member of St. Edward Catholic Church, attending St.Edward Parochial School for eight years. He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1940. Charlie earned the nickname "Little Boy Blue" during his three seasons as a 130 pound running back on the Carlsbad Cavemen football team. Though small in size, he had the heart and speed to earn All-State honors.
In his senior year, Charlie enlisted in the New Mexico National Guard, 111th Cavalry, Troop I; which was later converted to the 200th Coast Artillery Corps. On 3 Jan 1941, He and Lucille Davis married, just three days before the 200th left for Fort Bliss Texas. He was serving in Battery F in the Philippines at the onset of World War II. For four months, with little food or ammunition, he and his comrades fought until Bataan was surrendered on April 9, 1942. He survived the infamous Bataan Death March that followed. Charlie endured 3 ½ years as a prisoner of the Imperial Japanese. After the Bataan Death March, he spent time in Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan, and Bilibid Prison before being moved to Japan on the hell ship, Nagato Maru. In Japan, he was exploited as slave laborer for the Japanese war effort. For more than two years he worked in a steel mill in Osaka (Yodogawa Bunsho), then later moved to Oeyama, where he unloaded supply ships, along with his work in a nickel smelter. Charlie was Honorably discharged in May 1946 and he returned to his family and ranch life in Carlsbad.
Except for a few months working at Potash Company of America after high school graduation, Charlie's life was devoted to ranching. His land and his cattle southeast of Carlsbad were his passion. He especially valued the life-long friendships he maintained with other P.O.W's in New Mexico and across the country. For his service, his awards included: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, New Mexico Bataan Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Distinguished Unit Badge. Charlie was a life member of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, New Mexico Bataan Veterans Organization, and BPOE #1558. Charlie was the last 200th Coast Artillery (AA) survivor living in Carlsbad.
Charlie was survived by his wife of 70 years, Lucille James of the family home; son Chuck James (Darla) of Mead, Oklahoma; daughter Joanna Sieberg (Jerry) of Carlsbad; grandchildren: Joyce Miller, Stacey Sieberg (Mark Bellanca), Frank James, Shannon Sieberg, and Justin Sieberg; great-grandchildren: Liberty Sieberg, Maddisan Hobbs, Sequoia and Luke Bellanca, Nathan and Gabriel James, Bella and Vivi Sieberg; sister Gloria Kelley of Lubbock, Texas; and brother Bob James of Las Cruces.
Charlie was the oldest child of Frank and Lena James. After a brief stay in Los Angeles, his parents returned to Carlsbad where Charlie, his sisters and brother were raised. His roots run deep in Eddy County. The James family arrived in Eddy (later Carlsbad) from Midland, Texas in 1898. The Martin family arrived from Fort Davis, Texas in 1919. Charlie was a life-long member of St. Edward Catholic Church, attending St.Edward Parochial School for eight years. He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1940. Charlie earned the nickname "Little Boy Blue" during his three seasons as a 130 pound running back on the Carlsbad Cavemen football team. Though small in size, he had the heart and speed to earn All-State honors.
In his senior year, Charlie enlisted in the New Mexico National Guard, 111th Cavalry, Troop I; which was later converted to the 200th Coast Artillery Corps. On 3 Jan 1941, He and Lucille Davis married, just three days before the 200th left for Fort Bliss Texas. He was serving in Battery F in the Philippines at the onset of World War II. For four months, with little food or ammunition, he and his comrades fought until Bataan was surrendered on April 9, 1942. He survived the infamous Bataan Death March that followed. Charlie endured 3 ½ years as a prisoner of the Imperial Japanese. After the Bataan Death March, he spent time in Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan, and Bilibid Prison before being moved to Japan on the hell ship, Nagato Maru. In Japan, he was exploited as slave laborer for the Japanese war effort. For more than two years he worked in a steel mill in Osaka (Yodogawa Bunsho), then later moved to Oeyama, where he unloaded supply ships, along with his work in a nickel smelter. Charlie was Honorably discharged in May 1946 and he returned to his family and ranch life in Carlsbad.
Except for a few months working at Potash Company of America after high school graduation, Charlie's life was devoted to ranching. His land and his cattle southeast of Carlsbad were his passion. He especially valued the life-long friendships he maintained with other P.O.W's in New Mexico and across the country. For his service, his awards included: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, New Mexico Bataan Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Distinguished Unit Badge. Charlie was a life member of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, New Mexico Bataan Veterans Organization, and BPOE #1558. Charlie was the last 200th Coast Artillery (AA) survivor living in Carlsbad.
Inscription
SSGT US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
BATAAN POW
