James registered for the draft in Charlotte, NC on 6 June 1942, a prophetic date.  He was inducted into the Army at Camp Croft, SC on 26 November 1942.

Pvt Hattrick was transferred to Company I, 508yth PIR from Camp Toccoa, GA on 19 December 1942.

MISSING — Mr. and Mrs. George O Hattrich of 1301 Harnll street have been notified by the War department that their son Pvt James Robert Hattrich (above) of the 508th Parachute infantry has been missing  in action in France since June 8. Mr. and Mrs. Hattrich have another son Cpl John V Hattrick who is in service In the Pacific area.

[The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC, 22 Jul 1944, Sat, Page 13]

Pvt Hattrich Reported As War Victim

   Previously reported missing in action since June 8, Pvt James R. Hattrich, above, paratrooper, has been listed now as killed in action. Notification of this from the War Department was received yesterday by his parents Mr. and Mrs. George O. Hattrich of 130 N Harrill St.  He took part in the invasion of Normandy.
   He was inducted into the service Nov 23, 1942, at Camp Croft S C later volunteering for the Paratroopers. He trained at Camp Blanding Fla. and Fort Benning Ga. and was sent overseas last December from Camp Mackall.
   Pvt Hattrich graduated from Tech High School and was a member of Allen St. Baptist Church. Prior to his induction into the Army he was employed at the Glenn L Martin airplane factory in Baltimore Md. His wife is the former Miss Gladys Warren of Charlotte.

 The Germans recorded his death including the date and place of burial as well as name with proper ASN undoubtedly taken from his dog tags.

Once his body was recovered from, the Gourbesville churchyard, he was interred in Ste Mere Eglise Cemetery #2.

 a next-of-kin issue evolved post-WWII when his widow was notified that she could elect to have him buried in the new permanent Normandy cemetery or shipped home.

His widow, however, had remarried and allowed James' parents to make that decision. 

They opted to have James interred locally and his body arrived on Southern Railroads Train #34, at 3:40 PM, 20 December 1948. He was re-interred for the final time on 23 December 1949.  His father signed this headstone application for a headstone or marker on 10 January 1949 requesting a bronze marker be delivered to the cemetery.

Grave marker for Pvt James R. Hattrick at Section 3, Lot 83B, Space 2 in  Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, North Carolina

            [courtesy of "John']

Pvt Hattrick's military decorations include the Purple Heart.

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