Briefing Document: James Lathem Ables

Subject: Biographical Summary and Military Service of James Lathem Ables

Date: October 26, 2023

Source: Excerpts from Pasted Text

I. Overview

This document provides a summary of the life and military service of James Lathem Ables, drawing information from the provided text. The focus is on his personal background, educational journey, military enlistment and deployment, and ultimately, his death in action during the Korean War.

II. Key Biographical Details

Birth and Family:

Born on February 16, 1926, in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

Parents: Ruby Alice Lathem and James Olenthus Ables. His mother was 22 and his father was 27 at the time of his birth.

His mother, Ruby Alice Lathem, lived from 1903 to 1983 in Brownwood, Texas.

His father, James Olenthus Ables, lived from 1899 to 1966, passing away in Oakland, California.

Childhood and Education:

In the 1930 Census, at age 4, he is living with his mother and grandparents, John and Allie Lathem, in Brown County, Texas.

By 1935 and 1940, he was living in JP1 Brown County, Texas, with his mother, and by 1940 also with his stepfather, Thurman Cole.

Graduated from Brownwood High School in 1943.

Attended the University of Texas in Austin.

Draft Registration:

Registered for the draft on October 27, 1945, while a student at the University of Texas in Austin, listing his address as 2009 First St. Brownwood, TX.

His next of kin contact was his mother, Ruby Lathem Cole.

Marriage:

Married Beverly Randolph Coleman on September 2, 1949, in Nueces County, Texas.

Civilian Employment:

Worked for a congressman in Washington, D.C., from 1948 to 1950.

III. Military Service

USMC Reserve Activation:

Activated as 2Lt Ables with the USMC Reserves, 15th Infantry Battalion, on July 26, 1950, at Austin.

His wife, Beverly Ables, was listed as his next of kin contact at Corpus Christi, Texas.

Training and Deployment:

In October 1950, he was at Camp Pendleton with the USMC Training and Replacement Command.

By April 1951, 2Lt Ables was at Pearl Harbor and then deployed to South Korea with the 5th Marines.

He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division Fleet Marine Force

Combat and Death:

Participated in combat operations near Hwachon, north of the 38th parallel, between April 21-23, 1951. The 5th Marines sustained casualties during this period and then withdrew south to Hongchon.

Killed in action on April 29, 1951. The cause of death was reportedly "gunshot or small arms fire."

“2Lt Ables was killed in action on 29 April 1951 by gunshot or small arms fire, according to some official reports…”

Noted discrepancy: His death is not recorded in the 5th Marines' record for that date.

“…but the casualty is not recorded in the 5th Marines record for that date.”

Burial and Repatriation:

Initially buried in a temporary grave.

Remains repatriated to America in 1952.

Reinterred in Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

IV. Key Themes and Observations:

Transition from Civilian to Soldier: Ables' life highlights a rapid transition from civilian life (student, congressional aide) to military service and ultimately to combat in the Korean War. This is a common theme of many of that era.

Discrepancy in Records: The discrepancy between official reports of death and the 5th Marines' record is noteworthy, perhaps indicating an error in record-keeping during wartime or a later update.

Personal Sacrifices: The document details a personal tragedy for a young man, highlighting the sacrifices made during times of war, and the tragic loss for his wife and family.

Family Roots: The information about his extended family (grandparents, parents, and step-father) is interesting and suggests deep ties to Brown County, Texas.

V. Further Research: The inconsistencies in the record and circumstances surrounding 2Lt Ables death warrant further research to ascertain the reasons for the discrepancy and to get a clearer picture of his military service. Further research might include:

Official USMC records related to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment on April 29, 1951

Military casualty reports and burial records

Personal accounts of other marines who served with the 5th Marines during this period.

VI. Conclusion

The provided text offers a concise, but impactful narrative of James Lathem Ables' life and death. His story encapsulates a life interrupted by war and serves as a memorial to the sacrifices made during the Korean conflict.