Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1943 Lucky Bag:

JAMES EDWARD LEWELLYN

Jimmy arrived from the Smoky City with his specs, skull cap, pipe, and an ambition to make good. He started by playing two sports, standing high in his class, and using his talent for cartooning to keep his classmates amused and guessing. A shoulder injury halted his football career, but he continued with his boxing. Whenever a group was found, Jimmy was usually in the midst of it. His antics, jokes, and many dialects were always good for a laugh from his fellows. With his qualities of good-fellowship, tact, and understanding, Jim will be a pleasant and valued shipmate.

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The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

James was lost when USS Amberjack (SS 219) was sunk by a patrol craft on February 16, 1943 near Rabaul.

Other Information

From the Class of 1943 anniversary book “25 years later…”:

Jimmy was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on 4 February, 1921. He was appointed from at-large and entered the Academy on 30 June, 1939. After graduation he underwent submarine training at New London, Connecticut. Following this he proceeded to the Southwest Pacific where in December 1939 Jim reported aboard the submarine USS AMBERJACK. On 22 March, 1943 while engaged in a war patrol in the Southwest Pacific Area the AMBERJACK was lost to enemy action with Jimmy aboard. He wore the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal. He was survived by his father, Mr. Earl Jennings Lewellyn who at Jim’s death resided at 3242 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

James was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts. His father Earle J. was an insurance agent who served in the  U. S. Army in WWI and died in 1980 in Florida. His mother Josephine Dwyer was born in Massachusetts. His brother Thomas was stillborn in February 1920.

His mother was listed as next of kin.

James is remembered at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

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Daniel Seidell ’43 was also lost aboard USS Amberjack (SS 219).