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Emmett J. Harris, 21, Dies After Operation At Camp Claiborne, La.
CAMP CLAIBORNE, La., June 24—Private First Class Emmett J. Harris, Clarion, Iowa, died here today following an appendectomy at Camp Claiborne base hospital.
Harris, 21, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Harris, Clarion. He enlisted in the guard last January, following a previous term of service. He was a member of Company E, 133rd infantry, Webster City, commanded by Capt. Eugene E. Meller.
The 34th division soldier had been on maneuvers as part of the defending force, Iowa infantry opposing 32nd and 37th divisions. Stricken in the field, he was rushed to the base hospital at Camp Claiborne, 70 miles away, for an emergency operation.
The operation was performed immediately by camp doctors, but it was too late to save the Iowa soldier.
Tentative plans call for a military funeral at Camp Claiborne before the body is shipped back to Clarion. His company is still in the field.
Harris, third 34th division soldier to die at Camp Claiborne, was the first in line of duty. Two others were killed in an auto accident earlier in the summer.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - June 24, 1941
Emmett James Harris was born Sept. 23, 1920 to James J. and Linnie May Teater Harris. He died June 24, 1941 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion, IA.
Pfc. Harris died at Camp Clairborne, La. following an emergency appendicitis operation. He was the first member of Co. E to die during the war emergency.
Source: ancestry.com; World War II Memorial; Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
