Pfc. James Arthur Dandridge was born in Senatobia, Mississippi, on July 12, 1918, to James Dandridge and Willa Dandridge, and had one brother. The family lived in Cleveland, Ohio and then resided at 824 South 13th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois. At some point, it appears his parents divorced. He graduated from Washington School and later graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1936. He married Hughetta Payne and living with his wife’s family at 1928 South 15th Avenue, Broadview, Illinois. He also became the father of a son, James. He worked at the National Malleable Steel Casting Company in Melrose Park, Illinois.
On October 16, 1940, he registered when the Selective Service Act took effect and named his wife as his contact person. On May 16, 1944, he was drafted into the US Army and received the serial number 36 979, 108 and sent to Fort Sheridan. On May 27th, he was sent to Camp Ellis, Illinois, near Table Grove, Illinois. This was a camp for the Army Service Forces. The camp had various units training including three African-American units.
At some point, he was assigned to the 3119th Quartermaster Service Company. The service companies delivered supplies to field units. Unfortunately, not much is known about his unit. According to records, James was in the Broadbruchen, Germany area, on April 1, 1945, when he was hit by a shell fragment which resulted in wounds on both his arms and legs. He also apparently was hit by a shell fragment in his head. He was buried the next day at the US Military Cemetery, Bensheim, Germany in Plot A, Row 7, Grave 84.
His wife received a telegram from the War Department.
HUGHETTA DANDRIDGE 1928 SOUTH 15 AVENUE BROADVIEW ILL
THE SECREATRY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGREAT THAT YOUR HUSBAND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JAMES A DANDRIDGE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON ONE APRIL IN GERMANY LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
From there, he was moved to the US Military Cemetery, Saint Avold, France and buried in Plot LL, Row 7, Grave 84. His wife on October 7, 1946, received a letter dated October 7, 1946, telling her where James was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. She was also told that she would be receiving another letter at a later date that would contain information on her options for his final burial. That letter, dated October 17, 1947, arrived and gave her the options she had for James’ final burial. She was asked to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating her wishes for his burial. The Office of Quartermaster General received the completed form on December 2, 1947. Hughetta indicated that she wanted her husband returned to the United States for burial.
On July 15, 1948, his remains were exhumed and by train sent to Antwerp, Belgium, where they were casketed on July 19th. On August 5, 1948, his casket was placed on the USAT Lawrence Victory and sailed for the US. The ship arrived in the New York Port of Entry on August 19th and appear to be held there until his casket was put on a train to the Quartermaster Corps Distribution Canter #8 in Chicago. In a military hearse, with a military escort, his casket was taken to the Metropolitan Funeral Parlors in Chicago on September 30, 1948. Pfc. James A. Dandridge was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery, Blue Island, Illinois.
