Beers, James H.

James H Beers

Early Life

James Huntley Beers was born on March 5, 1893, in Mamaroneck, New York, the son of Huntley R. Beers and Ada Stocker Beers. He later resided in Rye, New York, on Harrison Avenue, where he was employed as a police officer for the Village of Rye at the time of his draft registration in June 1917. His early life reflects both regional mobility within Westchester County and a strong connection to public service through his role in local law enforcement.

World War I Service

Beers entered military service on April 26, 1918, through Local Board No. 6 in Port Chester, New York. He was initially assigned to the 152nd Depot Brigade, where he underwent basic training before being transferred to Company C, 303rd Infantry Regiment.

The 303rd Infantry Regiment was part of the 76th Division, a unit that served primarily as a training and replacement formation during World War I, preparing soldiers for deployment to the American Expeditionary Forces in France.

Following his arrival overseas, Beers was assigned to a Special Training Battalion of the 76th Division, a unit responsible for preparing and reassigning soldiers within the American Expeditionary Forces. These battalions were a critical component of the Army’s replacement system, providing additional training, conditioning, and evaluation before soldiers were transferred as individual replacements to front-line units.

He served overseas from July 6, 1918, to July 5, 1919, a period that encompassed major operations such as the Meuse–Argonne Offensive, the largest American campaign of the war, which broke through German defensive lines and accelerated the end of the conflict. Replacement and training units like the one in which Beers served were essential to sustaining these operations by ensuring a steady flow of prepared reinforcements to combat divisions.

During his service, he held the rank of Private and sustained no wounds in action. He was honorably discharged following the completion of his overseas service and return to the United States.

Life After Service

Following the war, Beers relocated to Connecticut, where he entered business with his brother, Philip Beers. Together they operated the Riverside Garage in Niantic, establishing themselves within the local commercial community. He later worked as a machinist and went on to manage the Brick Mill on Flanders Road, remaining in that role until the property was sold in 1967.

He was active in civic and fraternal organizations, including membership in the Bayview Lodge of Masons and the Tinker-Turner Post of the American Legion, reflecting continued engagement with both community and fellow veterans.

James Huntley Beers died on November 28, 1974, at his home at 12 Gurley Road at the age of eighty-one.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his brother, Clarence Beers, and his sisters, Edith Beers and Florence Beers, all of Waterford, Connecticut.