Mr. Sapp is survived by his Daughter: Beverly Smithey (Greg), Son: Michael J. Sapp (Trudie), Grandchildren: M. Jared Sapp, Rebecca S. Zeigler (Jeremy), Alicia D. Smithey, and Jamey E. Smithey (Melissa), Great-Grandchildren: Makayla Zeigler, Reagan Zeigler, Paisley Smithey, Alex Smithey, Tyler Smithey, Dillon Smithey, Gavin Smithey, and Palmer Smithey. He is also survived by a special niece, Lynn Rivers (Jerry) and two special nephews: Charles Cates (Evelyn) and James Cates (Sue).

Mr. Sapp, a native of Stilson, was living in Port Wentworth and working for the Savannah Sugar Refinery when World War II broke out. Realizing that he was soon to be drafted, he enlisted in 1942, hoping to get into the Army Air Corps which sent him to Miami Beach, FL. Upon completing his training, he was retained as cadre which he did not want to do. The leaderships decision to keep him through the war as a cadre member at the Army Air Corps School in Miami led him to apply to become a paratrooper. His company commander questioned his desire to leave his safe post and explained that this was one of the most dangerous positions in which to serve. Undaunted, he finished jump school in November 1942. In April 1943, he was sent to New York where he joined the 82nd Airborne Division. Staff Sgt. James T. Sapp was attached to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. He spent 29 months overseas with 371 days in combat.

Staff Sgt. Sapp was first sent to Northern Africa and served in three countries there. Combat followed in Sicily where postponed air drops led to heartbreak when he was witness to mistaken identity by our own troops. Twenty-three allied planes were shot down that night and half of his platoon was killed. Involved in the invasion of Italy at Salerno, he later saw service in Holland and was sent to England. Not only did he survive the Battle of the Bulge, he was in Germany when the U.S. Army met the Russians.

Mr. Sapp says, "The Lord was with James Sapp.” Losing company commanders, leaders and soldiers on his right and left, Mr. Sapp states that he came out with nothing more than a minor scratch with many close calls. He is a testament to his own words, "A man does not have to be physically injured to have wounds of war.” When he first returned to the States he commented that, "It was rough.” Over time the recently turned 88 years old has dealt with the emotional toll remarkably well by staying very busy, although admitting to a flashback almost every day. Upon arrival home, Mr. Sapp made a vow to honor those who gave their lives for this country: his commanders, friends and fellow soldiers. He vowed to honor their memory by becoming the best man (father, son, and husband) that he could be and he lives a life of service to others in testament to that promise.

Upon returning to the states after war, while awaiting discharge, he boarded a bus for home from Fort Gordon, with his uniform pressed and shoes shined. His parents lived in the Port Wentworth area and he got the bus driver to leave him at a local store owned by the Wendelken family. When he entered the store, he saw the most beautiful black-haired, brown-eyed beauty he had ever met and over the course of time, Mary Wendelken, the storekeeper who also noticed the handsome soldier, became his wife. They married Jan. 12, 1947, making their first home in Savannah. He had by then gone to work for Union Bag (now International Paper) and felt that he could financially provide a living for his bride. They moved to Effingham County in 1954, buying and operating a farm in Guyton until the Sapp family sold it in 1964 and came to reside in Rincon. Always lovingly referring to his wife as "Miss Mary,” Mr. Sapp spent a few months shy of 60 years with the love of his life. He is now reunited with Miss. Mary.

Medals awarded to Staff Sgt. Sapp include: The Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Emblem of European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Six Campaign Stars and the Bronze Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Belgian Fourragere, Netherlands Orange Lanyard, Honorable Service Lapel Button, World War II Parachute Badge with Three Jump Stars.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 3, 2023 at Strickland and Sons Funeral Home (Highway 21 location) from 4pm until 7pm. The funeral will be Monday, September 4, 2023 at 10:30am at Rincon Global Methodist Church (107 Savannah Avenue-Rincon), with burial immediately following at Goshen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Effingham Veteran’s Memorial Park or The Effingham Historical Society.