OBIT: James W. MACKEY, 2006, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by John Bauman

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_______________________________________________ 

  James W. Mackey, 86, Valley View Home, died Tuesday at the home.
  He was born in Altoona, son of William and Sylvia (Carl) Mackey.  He 
married Patricia J. Barr, Dec. 31, 1945.
  Mr. Mackey was a member of Fifty-Eighth Street United Methodist Church, 
where he sang in the choir for many years.  He enjoyed singing.
  Jim was a 1939 graduate of Altoona High School.  He retired as a 
supervisor from Sylvania Electric Co.
  Jim was a U.S. Army veteran.  He served in World War II with the 101st 
Airborne Screaming Eagles, 506th PIR, 2nd Battalion, F Company.  Jim was 
honored when he met Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill the day
before the Normandy invasion.  He parachuted from a C-47 into the vicinity 
of Ste. Come-du-Mont, France, during Operation Overlord.  Later, he jumped 
into Holland during Operation Market Garden.  Jim's service with the 506th 
PIR continued at the Battle of Bastogne, where his unit was awarded the 
Distinguished Unit Citation by Gen. Eisenhower.
  This was the first time in the history of the U.S. Army that an entire 
division had been so honored.  Jim also was the recipient of the Purple 
Heart.  His proudest accomplishment was that he served his country.
  Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Debbie Schunk and husband, Thomas, of 
Altoona; a son, James G. Mackey and wife, Michelle, of Altoona; 
grandchildren: Bryan Scott, Brett Scott, Alan Richard Mackey and Kayla Sarah 
Mackey; and great-grandchildren: Jaden Musselman and Kaylee Scott. He was 
preceded in death by his daughter, Dana Kaye Scott 

Altoona Mirror, August 30, 2006