World War II veteran’s son continues fight for Purple Heart

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
There is one wish James B. Nokes of Millersburg is going try to fulfill until his final days. He would like to have a Purple Heart insignia placed on the gravestone of his father, James W. Nokes, who passed away last June at the age of 91.
James B. is the proud son of the World War II Army veteran. His father was in the 63rd Infantry Division, an emblem that he has tattooed on his arm.
James W., who was a radial drill press operator in Detroit before entering the war, served from March 1943 until receiving an honorable discharged in September 1945. He would receive several medals and accommodations, including the Bronze Star, but no Purple Heart, despite being in a jeep that was blown off a road in Germany, while chauffering his commanding officer (CO).

The jeep ended up in a ditch and the CO, who was a close friend, was killed. James W. was taken to sick bay for unspecified injuries, but his release paper does not indicate any injuries or wounds.
He was offered a Purple Heart, his son James B. said, but because he was still upset about the death of his friend, he turned it down.
James B. says his father was offered three Purple Hearts, but turned them all down because they were not important at the time.  His fellow comrades dying around him were.
In James W.’s later years, it became very important. For his son, he won’t rest until the matter is resolved. James B. helped his father try to get the recognition for nine years and has continued the fight.
“I started before he died in June 2016, but it was too late,” said James B. , from the sunporch of his late father’s house, along a scenic stretch of Nokes Highway, northeast of Millersburg.
“It was the only wish I could not give him in the four years I lived and took care of him,” said James. “I am trying to get the Purple Heart on his headstone.”
The veteran was given full military honors last year, including the playing of bagpipes at his service.
There is still no grave marker at Riverside Cemetery. His son does not want to order it until it has a Purple Heart marker engraved on it.
James W. was not only involved in an attack on his vehicle, but saved the life of a comrade jumping into a frozen river, almost losing his feet to frostbite.
“He made it to 91 and had nightmares until he died,” said James B. “He would wake up screaming.”
The Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the armed forces who is killed or wounded in action; the severity of the injury isn’t really at issue. “A physical lesion is not required…” The Army requires treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received.
The records are the biggest issue, because none can be found.
James received a letter Dec. 8, 2016 from the National Personnel Records Center. “The record needed to answer your inquiry is not in our files,” the letter states.
If the record were there July 12, 1973, it would have been in the area that suffered the most damage in the fire on that date and may have been destroyed.
The fire destroyed the major portion of Army personnel records for the period of 1912 to 1959.
“He didn’t want one, he just wanted one to be recognized,” said James. “I promised him, and I have not been able to,” his voice trailing off, as emotions got the best of him.
In James B’s letter, sent nearly a year ago, he pleaded with the powers that be: “Please help me honor him, and grant his wishes, there has to be some way to come up with proof.”
James B. is hopeful that there are records of commissioned officers’ death in Germany. His next step will be to take matter to U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow.