DOB/DOD: March 19, 1925 (Norwalk, CT) – August 17, 1992 (Norwalk, CT); 67 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Mildred D’Orso (1926-2005) on October 4, 1947, in Norwalk, CT
CHILDREN: Two sons, James J. Jr. (1950-) and David (1951-). Two daughters, Barbara Reed Bruce (1954-) and Susan Reed Peden (1961-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 21 First Street, 14 Lawrence Street, and 60 Melbourne Road Extension
ENLISTMENT: July 27, 1943
SERVICE NUMBER: 31336668
DISCHARGE: January 26, 1946
UNIT: 501st Bombardment Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group
FAMILY: Born to James (1901-1992) and Anna Srnecz Reed (1904-1959). Five sisters, Helen (1929-2012), Anna M. Reed Richardson (1937-2006), Josephine (1939-1999). Joan Reed Hessinger (1933-1999), and Mary J. Hynd (1943-).One brother, John (1934-1963).
OTHER: Served as a B-25 radio operator, mechanic, and gunner.
Photo contributed by the Reed family
From The Norwalk Hour August 18, 1992
James J. Reed Sr., 67, died Monday in Norwalk Hospital. He was the husband of Mildred D’Orso Reed. Born in Norwalk on March 19, 1925, Mr. Reed, son of James Reed and the late Anna Srnecz Reed, was a 1934 graduate of Norwalk High School, where he was a halfback on the football team. He also played football and baseball with the Pastime Athletic Club. More recently, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Monsignor Finn Council No. 46, and of the Laurel Athletic Club. Mr. Reed served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific during World War II, flying B-25 Mitchell Bombers with the 501 Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group. He survived being shot down twice during the war, receiving the Purple Heart. His squadron took part in providing air cover over Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Armistice with Japan. Last year Mr. Reed retired from Perkin-Elmer Corporation, where he was a technician. Earlier he was a salesman for many years with Dwan Lincoln-Mercury. A member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, he was an usher and a member of the Parish Advisory Council and the Liturgy Committee. In addition to his wife and father, Mr. Reed is survived by two sons, James J. Reed Jr. of Norwalk and David Reed of Milford; two daughters, Barbara Bruce of Brookfield and Susan Bennett of Norwalk; two sisters, Joan Hessinger of Fairfield and Mary Hynd of Stamford; 10 grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Interment with military honors will take place in St John Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm on Wednesday at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Ave. Members of the Council No. 46, Knights of Columbus, will assemble at the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The family requests that contributions be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Ave., East Norwalk, 06855.
Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section 9, Plot 46.
Photo pending
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