Neal-Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home Reporting
news@clarksvillenow.com
James Charles Aaron Britt, age 96 of Clarksville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at Gateway Medical Center.
James was born on October 28, 1917 in Montgomery County, TN to the late George Washington Britt and Myrtle P. Trotter Britt. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mina Lucille Gafford Britt.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Chapel, with Rev. Dr. Steve Louder officiating. Burial will be in Gum Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2014 with a masonic service to follow, and from 11 a.m. until the hour of service on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the funeral home.
James was a mechanic and farmer. He served in U.S. Army 1942-46. During World War II was 1st Gunner, 1st Machine Gun Squad, Company A, 115th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. On June 6, 1944, was in second wave of D-Day Invasion at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. Survived D-Day landing and fought 44 days. After fighting through the ubiquitous Norman hedgerow county, received multiple machine gun wounds July 18, 1944 during the taking of key rail and communications city Saint Lo. Taking of this city opened way for tanks of General George Patton’s Third Army to race toward Germany. Flown to England in DC-3 litter plane for surgery and several months recuperation at U.S. Army 55th General Hospital, located on what had been the back nine holes of the Worcestershire Country Club. In body cast, transported to U.S. A. by ship for further surgeries and rehabilitation at Army Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, until his release in 1946.
He was awarded Purple Heart, Expert Rifleman Badge, Expert Machine Gunner Badge, Expert Pistol Badge, Croix de Guerre, Medaille de Jubilee, Distinguished Unit Citation, and American Legion Silver Star Citation. During visit to Normandy in 1995, honored at official reception in Saint Lo City Hall where the Mayor presented him Commemorative Medal and other tokens of appreciation.
He was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Masonic Lodge 761.