James Phillip Kershaw Jr.

Rank: Airman, U.S. Navy

Entered service from: New Jersey

Born: April 30, 1937

Died: September 7, 1956

Burial: Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ — Plot J1158

Airman James Philip Kershaw was born on April 30, 1937. He enlisted in the United States Navy on January 25, 1956. Prior to joining the Navy he had lived at 2 West Lake Avenue in Blackwood, NJ. He had attended Haddonfield High School in Haddonfield, NJ and worked as a gas station attendant prior to his enlistment. After completing his basic training, he was assigned to the Brunswick Naval Air Station at Brunswick, ME. On September 7, 1956, Airman Kershaw and three other sailors were killed when their car collided with an 11-ton truck on a highway near Topsham, ME. Airman Kershaw was buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, NJ on September 13, 1956.

A 19 year old sailor, formerly of Blackwood, was one of four Navy men killed today when their car collided with an 11-ton truck on a highway near Topsham, ME.

Airman James P. Kershaw, formerly of 2 W. Lake Avenue, Blackwood, was among the dead. Inquiry at the address disclosed another family living at the home. They said the Kershaw family had moved about a month ago. Efforts to locate relatives of Kershaw were unsuccessful.

Also killed in the crash were airman William J. Chambers, 18, of Paducah, KY, airman Gilbert Morales, 18, of the Bronx, NY, and seaman Nathan S. Washington, 21, of Fredericksburg, VA. A fifth car occupant, airman Thomas W. Jenkins, 19, of New Orleans, was reported seriously injured. The five men were attached to the Brunswick, ME Naval Air Station. Woodrow McLeese, 28, operator of the truck, of Cumberland Mills, escaped injury.

A Moorestown Township Naval airman was one of four Navy men killed Friday when the car they were riding in collided with an 11-ton truck at Topsham, ME.

The Navy Department identified the Moorestown victim as James P. Kershaw Jr., 19, of 732 North Lenola Road. A fifth passenger in the car was reported seriously injured in the crash near the Brunswick Naval Air Station, where the men were stationed. Police said the crash occurred at Routes 201 and 196, three miles from Brunswick. Kershaw was hurled from the front seat by the impact, police reported, and the vehicle was telescoped to half its size. The operator of the truck was unhurt, police said.

Kershaw joined the service last January, after attending Haddonfield High school and working as a service station attendant. Surviving are his parents, a brother Jerry, 11, and a sister, Judith 1½. The family formerly resided in Blackwood. Funeral arrangements are being completed.