James Davis Gentry was born in Laurel Bloomery to Jake Leslie Gentry and Della Leffman.
Corporal Gentry was a medic with the Medical Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while tending his wounded comrades in North Korea.
Corporal Gentry is interred in the State Line Cemetery, Laurel Bloomery, Johnson County Tennessee.
The Johnson City Press, 22 February 1952
Laurel Bloomery – The body of Corporal J.D. Gentry, who was killed in action in Korea on September 2, 1951 was to arrive in Bristol today. It will be brought to the Hill Funeral Home in Mountain City and will remain there until Sunday morning. Then it will be taken to the home of the parents. Corporal Gentry was born September 4, 1928, and until entering the service helped his family on a farm, and store and attending school at Laurel Bloomery. He joined the States Line Baptist Church in 1944. He entered the armed services on September 28, 1950, and was first stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. He received training at Camp Atterbury, Ind., for overseas duty. Corporal Gentry was sent overseas on April 1, 1951, attached to a medical company of the 38th Infantry Regiment, Second Division. On May 26, 1951 he received the following citation: “… Corporal Gentry displayed gallantry in action in the vicinity of Kosoktul, Korea when he was attached to a rifle company as an aidman. While on a mission the company was moving up a large hill when ambushed and surrounded by the enemy force. With complete disregard for his own safety he moved out from the company position and, under intense enemy machine gun and small arms fire, to the side of a wounded comrade, administered first aid and evacuated him. This and many other similar acts reflects great credit upon himself and upon the military service.” For his services he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Gentry; four sisters, Mrs. Raymond Doss, Glade Springs, Va.; Mrs. Hubert Abel and Misses Dorothy and Jewel Gentry, all of Laurel Bloomery; three brothers, Arthur, Luther and Ralph Gentry, all of Laurel Bloomery; and his grandmother, Mrs. R.M. Gentry.
Two of the brothers served overseas in World War II.
- Rank: Corporal
- Date of birth: 4 September 1928
- Date of death: 2 September 1951
- County: Johnson
- Hometown: Laurel Bloomery
- Service Branch: Army
- Division/Assignment: 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
- Conflict: Korean War
- Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Medical Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Korea War Service Medal
- Burial/Memorial Location: State Line Cemetery, Laurel Bloomery, Johnson County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XXI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor James D. Gentry
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
