Dates: 1936-1958; n.d.
Size: 0.57 cubic ft.

Biography:

James Furr Ferriss

James Furr Ferriss was born on April 1, 1918. He was adopted by Wilson Edwin Ferriss and Thelma Ferguson Ferriss on July 23, 1923. Wilson Ferriss was born August 10, 1885 in Anding, Yazoo County, Mississippi. He worked as a foreman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Thelma Ferguson was born August 6, 1896 in Hinds County, Mississippi. She worked as a licensed practical nurse.

At the age of seventeen, James Ferriss enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on March 5, 1936 at Parris Island, South Carolina. While stationed in Portsmouth, Virginia (1939-1940) he was promoted from the rank of Private (E1) to the rank of Private First Class (E2) on November 21, 1940.

He was then deployed out to Olongapo, Manila Bay, Philippine Islands in 1941. His unit, H-Company, 2nd Battalion of the 4th Marines Regiment, was then ordered to Corregidor Island in the Manila Bay area, where the Japanese attacked in May of 1942. During this time, his parents received word that he was wounded in action and then considered missing in action when his station capitulated. He was finally reported as being captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp on May 6, 1942. The remaining years he spent overseas were spent in a prisoner of war camp in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan until his death. James Furr Ferriss died at twenty-six years old of starvation and pneumonia on March 17, 1945. His body was sent to the Vicksburg National Cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi at the request of Wilson and Thelma Ferriss on November 3, 1948. Ferriss was awarded the Purple Heart as well as other awards for his bravery and service during World War II.

His father soon passed away on April 26, 1998 at the age of eighty-two, and his mother passed away on June 30, 1975. Both are buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi.

 

Scope and Content Note:

This collection contains personal and legal correspondence, certificates of awards, photographs, newspaper articles, and information on prisoner of war camps given out to American civilians. These materials provide insight on the life of James Furr Ferriss, of Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi, during his time in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. In addition, these records reveal the involvement of family members with the military after the death of a service member, including a number of items relating to the internment and death of Ferriss in a Japanese prison camp in 1945.

 

Series Identification:

Series 1: Correspondence. 1939-1946; 1945-1947; 1951-1953; 1956; 1958; n.d. 
This series consists of letters written by James Furr Ferriss, Thelma Ferriss, military officers, and government officials on the matter of Ferriss himself or the financials involved with his passing during World War II.

Subseries 1.1: Military Service. 1939-1943; n.d.
This subseries contains the letters sent during James Furr Ferriss’ time in service to the United States Marine Corps. The majority of these letters are written from Ferriss to his parents, Wilson E. Ferriss and Thelma Ferriss, about how he is doing and sending his love back home. In one letter he writes about looking for jobs with the State Highway Patrols in Arkansas and Louisiana, or with his father, due to being “fed-up” with being stationed in the middle of nowhere. His letters soon change in length after his capture due to the restrictions placed on letters to and from prisoners of war. Included in this subseries, as well, is the letter from Captain C.P. Lancaster of the USMC to Thelma Ferriss concerning the whereabouts of Ferriss during his time overseas before his capture.

Box 1, folders 3-5

Subseries 1.2: Post Military Service. 1945-1947; 1951-1953; 1956; 1958; n.d.
This subseries contains letters to or concerning Wilson E. Ferriss and Thelma Ferriss on their financial compensation after the death of James Furr Ferriss. During their time applying for War Claim Compensation (folder 8) they receive word that their application was not approved due to their sufficient income and the issue of Thelma Ferriss being James Ferriss’ step-mother. A name that is seen throughout this time is John Bell Williams as he helps the Ferriss family with their appeal for the application to be approved until they are accepted. A letter relating to Ferriss’ adoption date is also included in this subseries. Along with these documents are telegrams related to Ferriss being wounded in action, missing in action, passing away in a prisoner of war camp, the assurance that his remains are to be sent to the Vicksburg National Cemetery, and personal letters of sympathy to the relatives of James Furr Ferriss.

Box 1, folders 8-11

 

Series 2: War Department. 1942-1945; 1946-1948; 1950; n.d. 
This series contains documents pertaining to war bonds, information for next of kin about Prisoner of War camps and the deceased, application receipts, and documents on awards. The awards James Furr Ferriss received and was eligible for were the: Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Badge, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Victory Medal for WWII, Philippine Defense Ribbon, and a Commendation Ribbon.

Box 1, folders 1; 7; 12

 

Series 3: Photographs. n.d. 
Two photographs of James Furr Ferriss are included in this series. One is a casual photograph that includes the backing from a picture frame; the other is a formal portrait.

Box 1, folder 2

 

Series 4: Newspaper Clippings. 1936; n.d. 
This series consists of five articles pertaining to updates on James Furr Ferriss. These articles cover his conclusion of training for the USMC, being wounded in action, being a prisoner of war, his first letter home during internment, and the arrival of the remains of the Mississippians who lost their lives in the Pacific Theatre back to Mississippi.

Box 1, folder 6

 

Series 5: Certificates. n.d. 
Included in this series is the Purple Heart certificate issued to James Furr Ferriss for being wounded in the Manila Bay area of the Philippine Islands and two certificates of memory. One is signed by President Lyndon Johnson and one by President Harry Truman.

Box 2, folders 1; 3

 

Series 6: Broadsides. n.d. 
This series contains the broadside featuring an excerpt of the poem titled “Recessional” written by Rudyard Kipling.

Box 2, folder 2

 

Box List:

Box 1, folder 1: War Bond Receipt, Next of Kin Information & Medal, 1943; 1950; n.d. 
Box 1, folder 2: Photographs, n.d. 
Box 1, folder 3: Personal Correspondence, 1939-1941; n.d. 
Box 1, folder 4: Marine Correspondence on Ferriss Whereabouts, 1942-1943 
Box 1, folder 5: Personal Correspondence, 1942-1943; n.d. 
Box 1, folder 6: Newspaper Articles, 1936; n.d. 
Box 1, folder 7: P.O.W. Information & Correspondence Regulations, 1943-1945 
Box 1, folder 8: Sympathy Telegrams & Letters, 1945-1946; n.d. 
Box 1, folder 9: War Claims Compensation, 1945-1947 
Box 1, folder 10: Survivorship Claim, 1951-1953 
Box 1, folder 11: Social Security Benefits, 1956; 1958 
Box 1, folder 12: Military Award Receipts, 1942; 1946-1948; n.d. 
> Box 2, folder 1: Purple Heart, 1946 
Box 2, folder 2: “Recessional” by Rudyard Kipling, n.d. 
Box 2, folder 3: President signed “In memory” documents, n.d.