NAME: James H. Nixon
ASN: 33094099
PLACE OF BIRTH: ???, TN
DATE OF BIRTH: 21 Nov 1914
DATES OF SERVICE: 07 Jul 1941 -
UNIT ASSIGNED:
B Company, 504th Parachute Battalion
E Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment
E Company, 2nd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment
B Company, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
CAMPAIGNS:Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno
AWARDS: Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, EAME Campaign Medal with arrowhead and four bronze campaign stars, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation, French 3rd Zouaves Regiment Badge
SUMMARY OF SERVICE:
28 Jun 1941 - Howard Nixon while in Washington D.C. writes to girlfriend Arbitus West in Dayton, TN informing her that he would be going to Richmond, VA to take an exam to enlist in the Army
07 Jul 1941 - Enlisted at Richmond, VA - NARA Enlistment Record
| Field Title | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ARMY SERIAL NUMBER | 33094099 | 33094099 |
| NAME | NIXON#JAMES#H########### | NIXON#JAMES#H########### |
| RESIDENCE: STATE | 34 | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA |
| RESIDENCE: COUNTY | 001 | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA |
| PLACE OF ENLISTMENT | 3386 | RICHMOND VIRGINIA |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY | 07 | 07 |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH | 07 | 07 |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR | 41 | 41 |
| GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION | PVT# | Private |
| GRADE: CODE | 8 | Private |
| BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION | BI# | Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA |
| BRANCH: CODE | 00 | Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA |
| FIELD USE AS DESIRED | # | # |
| TERM OF ENLISTMENT | 0 | Undefined Code |
| LONGEVITY | ### | ### |
| SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL | 0 | Civil Life |
| NATIVITY | 48 | TENNESSEE |
| YEAR OF BIRTH | 14 | 14 |
| RACE AND CITIZENSHIP | 1 | White, citizen |
| EDUCATION | 4 | 4 years of high school |
| CIVILIAN OCCUPATION | 170 | Sales clerks |
| MARITAL STATUS | 6 | Single, without dependents |
| COMPONENT OF THE ARMY | 7 | Selectees (Enlisted Men) |
| CARD NUMBER | # | # |
| BOX NUMBER | 0609 | 0609 |
| FILM REEL NUMBER | 2.273 | 2.273 |
30 Jul 1941 - Unit group photo (225 men) taken at Camp Wheeler, GA
01 Aug 1941 - Howard Nixon writes from Camp Wheeler, GA to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Dayton, TN that his training consists of digging trenches and learning alot that some think they will need someday. They will march in a parade on Saturday. He hopes to get a three day pass to go home on Labor Day.
08 Sep 1941 - Howard Nixon writes from Camp Wheeler, GA to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Rockwood, TN that he enjoyed the boat ride with her. He states that he has about 5 weeks remaining at Camp Wheeler, GA and that wherever he goes next he should have two weeks off for Christmas!
31 Oct 1941 - Howard Nixon writes from Fort Benning, GA to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Dayton, TN that he did explosives training. He hopes to get a three day pass an Thanksgiving and ten days leave around Christmas.
25 Dec 1941 - Pvt. James H. Nixon 33094099 B Co, 504th PB Christmas Dinner
01 Feb 1942 - Pvt. James H. Nixon 33094099 B Co, 504th PB Hometown: Washington DC, listed in the unit album
30 Mar 1942 - Pfc. Howard Nixon writes from Fort Bragg, NC to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Knoxville, TN. The letter shows that he is assigned to E Company 503rd Parachute Infantry at Fort Bragg, NC. He tells her that he will be going to the field for a week starting in the morning and that the commanding officer told them they have to be ready to fight in six weeks, 15 May. He says they now work seven days a week and are packing parachutes. He has only been into town of Fayettville twice, one was to see the movie Captain of the Clouds with James Cagney.
16 May 1942 - Pfc. Howard Nixon writes from Fort Bragg, NC to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Knoxville, TN. The address is Hospital #3 Ward 358. He mentions that his hand is injured but does not describe how. He also tells her that his battalion will march in the Memorial Day parade in Washington D.C. on 30 May and he hopes he can go along.
18 May 1942 - Pfc. Howard Nixon writes from Fort Bragg, NC to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Knoxville, TN. The address is Hospital #3 Ward 358.
05 Oct 1942 - Pfc. Howard Nixon writes from England to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Dayton, TN. The address is E Co. 503rd Para Inf APO 302. He mentions that he recently had a picture taken and was waiting for it to be ready for him to pick up.
08 Nov 1942 - T5 James H. Nixon 33094099 E Co, 2nd Bn, 509th PIR Washington DC participated in Operation TORCH (VILLIAN) the airborne invasion of Oran, North Africa, Plane: 4 Seat: 4 Combat Weight: 254 lbs. Aircraft landed in Spanish Morocco and was held for a time then released.
15 Nov 1942 - Pfc. Howard Nixon writes from Spanish Morocco to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Dayton, TN. The address is c/o American Consul, Tangiers, Spanish Morocco. He describes that the plane they were on landed in Spanish Morocco on 08 Nov 1942 around 0730. They spent a week at one location then moved to another location up in the mountains which is about 50 miles from Tangiers. He mentions that three quarters of the people are Spanish and the other quarter is Moors. Most are friendly. He talks about the how Spanish Morocco is neutral and that he hopes they can arrange an exchange so that he can get back to his unit. The American Consul visited them twice and assured the group everything possible was being done.
29 Jan 1943 - Pfc. Howard Nixon writes from Spanish Morocco to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Dayton, TN. The address is c/o American Consul, Tangiers, Spanish Morocco. He talks about the bordem and that some of the Soldiers left two weeks prior and that some may be released while others are still waiting. He is hoping to be moved soon.
13 Feb 1943 - Rejoins unit in Tunisia.
21 Feb 1943 - Marched in parade with British, French and other American units.
24 Feb 1943 - Pfc. Howard Nixon writes from Tunisia to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Dayton, TN. The address is E Company 509th Para Inf APO 512.
25 Mar 1943 - Pvt. James H. Nixon 33094099 E Co, 2nd Bn, 509th PIR Washington DC SO 27 Promoted to T5 (Temp.)
15 Jul 1943 - T5 James H. Nixon 33094099 E Co, 2nd Bn, 509th PIR from 07 Dec 1941 GO8 Awarded Good Conduct Medal, 1yr Svc
14 Sep 1943 - T-4 James H. Nixon 33094099 2nd Bn, 509th PIR Participated in Operation GIANT III the airborne invasion of Avellino, Italy, Naples-Foggia Combat Jump Star
10 Apr 1944 - T/4 James H. Nixon 33094099 B Co, 509th PIB GO 5 The following named Officers and Enlisted Men of Companies indicated having fulfilled all requirements as set forth in Par #3. a&b, Section I, WD Circular #269, dated 27 Oct 1943 are hereby announced as Combat Infantrymen and are entitled to wear the badge as specified in WD Circular above.
24 Jul 1944 - T/4 J. H. Nixon 33094099 B Co 509th PIB 15-Aug-44 Listed on jump manifest for Operation DRAGOON (RUGBY) Bn Plane 21, B Co Plane 1 Seat 4 Listed on Manifest but was replaced with T/4 Marvin N. Gillman need to determine if he jumped
14 Oct 1944 - Sgt. Howard Nixon writes from Fort Benning, GA to his girlfriend Arbutus West in Dayton, TN. The address is Co O. Special Troops, T.P.S. Fort Benning, GA. He tells her that he is still waiting for a new assignment and that he put in to be a mail clerk. He is also not interested in jumping anymore unless they require him to do so. He does not need the extra $50 a month. He hopes once he gets a new assignment that he will be able to request a three day pass once a month.
The 509th PIA has 7 of 12 letters that James Nixon wrote back to the US. Would like to obtain the missing 5 letters to add to his story.
(ALL IMAGES AND INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS PROPERTY OF THE OWNER AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION. PLEASE CONTACT THE WEBMASTER AT THE E-MAIL BELOW)
©2006 509thgeronimo.org. All Rights Reserved.