First Sgt. James Arthur Esterline

James Arthur Esterline was born on January 7, 1920 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana to parents James Otis Esterline (1882-1947) and Etna Gay Garling (1887-1979). He had siblings Howard, Josephine, and Mary Esterline. He registered for the draft on July 1, 1941, at the age of 21. At the time of registration, he was working for Lester J Brouwer as an attendant at a filling station. Then on March 9, 1942, James enlisted in the military at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. James was classified as a Private in the Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA, and was part of the Selectees (Enlisted Men) component. In April 1945, James was admitted to a general hospital with a penetrating wound in his shoulder caused by an artillery shell fragment. The wound did not involve any nerves or arteries, and he received delayed closure or suture secondary of the wound. James was discharged from the hospital in May 1945 and discharged from the military on October 26, 1945. The Spring following his discharge, on April 13, 1946 he married Betty Eileen Valentine (1925–2018) in Allen, Indiana. The couple had a son together Steven James Esterline (1953-2015). The couple later separated in 1964 and James re married about two years later on May 1, 1966 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana, USA to Pauline Etuch Kimmerly (1928–2004).