James Byron Laird

James Byron Laird was born on April 13, 1944 in Davenport to Bryon and Francis Laird. He was better known to his friends and family as Jim or Jimmy. As a young boy he survived polio and had little to no lasting effects of the disease. In his young teen years he worked at the local golf course as a caddie for extra spending money. Laird attended Davenport Central High School and worked at the Bettendorf Press. In his free time he enjoyed working on his 1957 Ford with his siblings and going to the Cordova drag strip. He joined the Marine Corps at the age of 20. He completed basic training at Camp Pendleton, CA. After basic training he was attached to 3rd Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines in the 3rd Marine Division as a rifleman. During his tour in Vietnam, Laird’s mid tour leave was cancelled due to the Tet Offensive and he proudly went back into the field to fight. On February 28, 1966 PFC Laird was killed by a landmine in Phu Bai, South Vietnam while participating in an operation against hostile forces. His remains are buried at the Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, IL.