Bridgeport in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

James E. Humbert

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 25, 2024

1. James E. Humbert Marker

Inscription.

James E. Humbert. . In memory of Seaman 1st Class James E. Humbert Born April 13, 1924 - Killed in action January 10, 1945 Aboard the U.S.S. Le Ray Wilson D.E. 414, Lingayen Attack Force Philippines. When the ship, on which he was the gunner of a twenty millimeter anti-aircraft gun, was attacked by a Japanese bomber during early morning twilight on January 10, 1945, he immediately took the enemy plane under fire and kept it under fire until it crashed into his gun station. His accurate fire inflicted damage to the plane, causing it to swerve from a course that would have inflicted grievous damage to his ship. His conduct in the face of certain disaster undoubtedly resulted in the saving of a large number of lives and prevented the infliction of heavy damage to his ship. For his heroic action, above and beyond the call of duty, he is hereby awarded the "Navy Cross”. I do not look upon the suicide attack on our ship as being a single action, but rather as a tragic climax of a series of engagements during which this ship by the grace of God and the excellence of it's gunners had escaped injury. The action of Humbert and all the rest is more heroic when it is remembered that they had seen many other ships subjected to the same type of attacks, and knew and appreciated the extreme danger of their position and the unlikelihood of their escaping with their lives at the moment of the attack. The expression that "he acted in keeping with the highest naval traditions” is an expression often freely used, and one that is sometimes, perhaps, too lightly used, when we think of the valorous deeds of our naval heros who have gone before. With that thought in mind I do not say that Humbert acted in keeping with the highest naval traditions, I say that he made naval tradition. May his gallant act live always in the memory of a grateful nation. May Admiral Kiland know, when he reads this report, that he kept his faith in him. He was my shipmate and I am proud of him. M.V. Carson, Jr. - Commanding Officer USS Le Ray Wilson D.E. 414

In memory of Seaman 1st Class James E. Humbert
Born April 13, 1924 - Killed in action January 10, 1945
Aboard the U.S.S. Le Ray Wilson D.E. 414, Lingayen Attack Force Philippines
When the ship, on which he was the gunner of a twenty millimeter anti-aircraft gun, was attacked by a Japanese bomber during early morning twilight on January 10, 1945, he immediately took the enemy plane under fire and kept it under fire until it crashed into his gun station. His accurate fire inflicted damage to the plane, causing it to swerve from a course that would have inflicted grievous damage to his ship. His conduct in the face of certain disaster undoubtedly resulted in the saving of a large number of lives and prevented the infliction of heavy damage to his ship. For his heroic action, above and beyond the call of duty, he is hereby awarded the "Navy Cross”.

I do not look upon the suicide attack on our ship as being a single action, but rather as a tragic climax of a series of engagements during which this ship by the grace of God and the excellence of it's gunners had escaped injury. The action of Humbert and all the rest

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is more heroic when it is remembered that they had seen many other ships subjected to the same type of attacks, and knew and appreciated the extreme danger of their position and the unlikelihood of their escaping with their lives at the moment of the attack. The expression that "he acted in keeping with the highest naval traditions” is an expression often freely used, and one that is sometimes, perhaps, too lightly used, when we think of the valorous deeds of our naval heros who have gone before. With that thought in mind I do not say that Humbert acted in keeping with the highest naval traditions, I say that he made naval tradition. May his gallant act live always in the memory of a grateful nation. May Admiral Kiland know, when he reads this report, that he kept his faith in him. He was my shipmate and I am proud of him.

M.V. Carson, Jr. - Commanding Officer USS Le Ray Wilson D.E. 414

Erected by Chicago Park District.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 25, 2024

2. James E. Humbert Marker

series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1945.

Location. 41° 50.293′ N, 87° 38.58′ W. Memorial is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bridgeport. It is on 31st Street west of Lowe Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is high above Humbert Park, overlooking 31st Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 3050 South Lowe Avenue, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic World War II Victory Garden (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Historic World War II Victory Garden (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Historic World War II Victory Garden (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gregory J. Sintic Park

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bridgeport and the Development of Chicago's Infrastructure (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lt. Joseph T. (Jay) McKeon Jr. Park (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this memorial. Humbert Park is one of four in the Bridgeport neighborhood named after men who died in war. The others are named after Florian Jacolik and Joseph McKeon Jr.

According to the Chicago Park District, this land was originally acquired in the 1910s by the City of Chicago for a police station; those plans fell through and the land became a park. The park was named Lowe Playlot (for the street on its eastern edge), but according to the Park District it had been known for years by area residents as Humbert Park, after the local veteran James Humbert. The city officially renamed it Humbert Park in 1999.

Also see . . . Humbert (James) Park. The park's official page from the Chicago Park District (Submitted on September 26, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.