A graveside military service will be held at 1 p.m. today, June 16, in Evanston for James Trout, who passed away on June 11 in Jackson. He was born on Dec. 4, 1922, in Bloomington, Nebraska, to Byron and Ethel Holiday Trout.
After graduating from high school in 1940, he went to work for Western Electric, which brought him to Evanston. It was at a dance at the American Legion where he met his future wife, Ruth Hartzell. Soon after, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
He was sent to Kingman, Arizona, to train as a ball turret gunner. His B-17 ran missions over the Ploesti oil fields and the Bucharest rail yards and ball bearing factories. On the 11th mission, the plane lost all four engines and crashed into the Adriatic Sea. The British Air Rescue picked up the crew. They were bumped and bruised after the crash, so the next six days were spent in a hospital in Russia. On the 12th mission, his plane was shot down over Romania, and he had to parachute to safety. He was captured and placed in a prisoner of war camp. During those 90 days as a prisoner, he survived daily bombing by both the Allies and the Germans. When Romania surrendered, he and his many fellow prisoners of war were heroically rescued by Allied B17s swooping in under enemy fire.
On Sept. 13, 1944, they set sail on an old converted freighter and headed home. Upon returning to Evanston, Jim married Ruth on Oct. 8, 1944. He was stationed at Hill Field in Ogden to complete his military obligation. He was promoted to staff sergeant and awarded the Purple Heart.
His first daughter, Connie, was born on Aug. 6, 1945, and his second daughter, Karen, was born on June 30, 1950.
Jim owned a dairy and worked as an automobile mechanic. In 1960, he joined in partnership with Lamar Ashton, owning the Union 76 station until retirement.
He was a member of the Jaycees for many years and served as their president. He received the Distinguished Service Award, was active in March of Dimes and the American Legion. Ruth and Jim received the Beautification Garden Award for their impeccable yard. He loved to play golf and had three holes in one to his credit. Ruth and Jim spent 25 wonderful years wintering in St. George where they played golf, picnicked, spent time in Mesquite and socialized with good friends.
Later in life he enjoyed going to the Romanian prisoner of war reunions always accompanied by his daughters. It was during the reunions that the family first heard about his harrowing experiences as a WWII soldier. He was also fortunate to be able to go on the Honor Flight, which was a trip to Washington, D.C., to view the WWII Memorial.
He had two brothers, Clifford and Dean, and a sister, Vernietta, who preceded him in death.
Still here to honor his memory is his wife of almost 73 years, Ruth; his two daughters, Connie Owen and Karen (Dick) Stewart; and his five granddaughters, Traci Owen Hipsher, Jami Owen Jungck, Mackenzie Stewart Jones, Molly Stewart Bell and Katelyn Stewart Armstrong. He is also survived by four beautiful great-grandchildren, Christian and Matthew Hipsher, Audrey Jones and Evan McMahon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences can be sent to Ruth Trout at Legacy Living, 3000 W. Big Trail Drive No. 208, Jackson, WY 83001.
Written by the prisoners of war in Romania in 1944:
“Here’s to the 60 thousand airmen who flew
Ploesti, The Gates and Bucharest
And here’s to the ones shot down from the blue
Prisoners of War who faced the test.”
