Stokes, J.B., born 02-09-1922, in Leonard, Fannin County, Texas, United States 
to George T. Stokes and Ida, born May, Stokes. Brother of Morris B Stokes; Floyd M. Stokes; Lena Stokes, and Elzie Stokes. J.B was married with Ola Mae Stokes (Trotter) 
who died 17-07-2009, age 82, in Weatherford, J.B was drafted into the Army and enlisted in November, 1942, in Dallas, and volunteered for the paratroopers.
Sergeant J.B. Stokes became a part of the “Band of Brothers” of fame. He was involved in the Invasion of Normandy, June 6th, 1944 and parachuted behind enemy lines at Omaha Beach. He was also part of Operation Market Gardens in Holland – Sept 17th- 1944 (“A Bridge Too Far”) 
, and was part of the Battle of the Bulge in Dec. 1944 the “Siege of Bastogne”
During the Ardennes offensive, the 101st was surrounded in the Belgian city of Bastogne. On December 22, a German delegation demanded that the Americans surrender. General Anthony Clement McAuliffe, 
sure that victory was near, crumpled up the letter, shouting “Aw – Nuts!” said. This became a winged word. (McAuliffe himself would later say that he had said “Shit”.) His officers decided to put this in writing and so Colonel Joseph “Bud” Harper, with an interpreter, brought the Germans a letter that read:To the German commander NUTS! The American Commander. The Germans under the command of General der Panzertruppe, Kommandeur XXXXVII Panzer Division, Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz. 
did not understand this and asked for an oral explanation. The interpreter replied: “Du kannst zum Teufel gehen.” Colonel Bud Harper survived the war and died 08-08-1990, age 89 in Atlanta/Georgia, United States.
With the passing of Sergeant Stokes, there were only 23 Easy Company members remaining. The last one to die was the mortar man Freeman, Bradford Clark “Brad”
Brad Freeman died 03-07-2021, age 97, in Columbus, Mississippi.
The Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment 
of the 101 Airborne Division, 
under command of commander Sink, Robert Frederick “Bounding Bob”, 
is one of the best-known companies in the United States Army. The adventures of the Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II are recounted in Stephen Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers
and the TV series of the same name by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. The Easy Company was founded in 1942 and was first deployed during the Normandy landings. She performed her first real combat action in the early morning of D-Day. A German battery with four 105mm guns aimed at Utah Beach had to be destroyed. After this, the company led the Battle of Carentan, took part in Operation Market Garden, held the battle of Bastogne, led the counter-offensive during the battle
Death and burial ground of J.B. Stokes.
Posing with their hats on backwards (left to right) Joseph “Joy” Toye, 
John Sheehy, Don Malarkey, 
Bill, Warren “Skip” Muck, 
J.B Stokes at Ford Bragg, 1943.
After the war the Stokes couple began this life together in Bridgeport. J.B. began his longtime career in the water department. Through the years they were blessed with four children. As years passed, J.B. became director of public works for Azle. Through the years they were blessed with four children.
J.B Stokes died 24-02-2013, age 90, in Azle, Tarrant County, Texas, United States and is buried at Cemetery Reno, Parker County, Texas, United States. 850 N Cardinal Road, Azle, TX 76020.
Leave a Reply