Services set for Cpl. Evan James

| Tuesday, April 08, 2003

Thomas Geyer

La HARPE, Ill. — Marine Reserve Cpl. Evan James of La Harpe, who drowned with Davenport Marine Reserve Sgt. Bradley Korthaus during ground operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom, will be laid to rest Thursday.


Funeral services will be 2 p.m. at the La Harpe High School gymnasium. Burial will be in La Harpe Cemetery. Banks and Beals Funeral Home, La Harpe, is in charge of arrangements.


James, 20, and Korthaus, 28, along with two other Marines were crossing the Saddam Canal in southeast Iraq on March 24 to set up weapons on the opposite side to provide cover for a water-purification team, according to the Marine Corps.


Two of the men emerged on the other side of the canal, which is about 15 feet deep, but Korthaus and James somehow were swept under the surface.


James' body was found the next day, while Korthaus' was found two days later.