My dad was a very special man to our family, and I wish to honor his memory by sharing his time in the service. Daddy was truly a proud American, and was honored to serve our country during World War II.

 

In the fall of November 1944, the Greensboro Daily News reported that Rocky Mount High School Blackbird Jimmy Landis had made First Team All-State in Football. They went on to say that “barring services in the armed forces he may be playing college varsity football the following fall of 1945”. Jimmy was also on the basketball team, and that season had the highest scoring average in the state of North Carolina, making above the 200 mark. He had the state record that year for most points (36) scored in a single game. This game happened to be his final game, because one week before the season ended, Jimmy was drafted into the Armed Services. He reported to Camp Croft on March 12, 1945, and on that very same day, the Greensboro Daily News reported that he had been selected First Team All-State in Basketball.

 

Training was completed at Camp Croft in July 1945, and Jimmy was assigned to Headquarter Company, 5th Infantry Replacement Depot in the Philippines. He directed a squad of fifteen men who were awaiting reassignments, assigned men to barrack details and policed the company area. He was also responsible for discipline and military courtesy of men under his supervision. Once the formal treaty was signed ending World War II, Corporal Landis’ company was responsible for the processing of Japanese Prisoners of War in Manila. Promoting good will with the Philippine people and Japanese prisoners was also a responsibility of his Company, which occurred primarily in matchups of football and basketball games with both Philippine and Japanese participation. Corporal Landis served two years in the Armed Forces, fifteen months of which was spent overseas in the South Pacific and Philippine Islands.

 

After the war, Jim attended Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill on the G.I. Bill, and graduated with an A.B in Physical Education. Returning to his hometown of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, he became City Athletic Director. Over his lifetime he lived in North Carolina and Virginia with his first wife, Jo, for 18 years, and his second wife, Margaret for 25 years, both of whom he adored. His favorite pastime was to participate in any and all sporting events. He was also a loving and loyal father to his two biological daughters, one stepdaughter and two stepsons, though he called them all his “children”.  Jim passed away on May 3, 1997

 

                                            

 

 

 Left to Right: MacDougal, Lovelace, LaValle, Kravitz, Klimek

 

 

        

 Left to Right: Lanya, Liraversky, Kravitz, Lovelace, Landis        Left to Right: Lanya, Liraversky, Kravitz, Lovelace, Landis 

 

 

    

 Kravitz                                                                                      Lovelace 

 

        

                              Sergeant Krockemalny                     Me and my buddies fooling Around. I am 2nd from the left.

 

 

    Airplane made by Japanese POW from brass shell casings.

He traded it to Jim for a pack of cigarettes!

 

 

Located at Rocky Mount Veterans Memorial, Rocky Mount, NC

Donated by Jamie Landis Wilson and Jodie Landis Britton