Jim Shannon started his flying career 8/20/1942 at Kelly Field. After stops at Wilson Bonfils Major Army Air Field, Blackland and Rattlesnake Fields, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt and assigned to the 446th Bomber Group 704th Squadron and assigned his own B24. Then he was off to Norwich, England where he joined the 2nd Air division of the 8th Air Force. Jim then flew 30 bombing missions over Europe. The 446th also led the attack on Normandy on D Day. Jim at 22 years old was commander of one of three lead positions that day. After completing his missions he was assigned to the 2nd Air Division Headquarters as commanding officer of flight selection and weather squadron. He also flew wing for Major General William E Kepner. He was dismissed from duty in December 1945 after receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 3 clusters, and the European Theatre Ribbon with 7 campaign stars. He had flown every fighter and bomber in the 8th Air Force from the B17 and 24 to the A 20 and 26 the P47 and 51 and of course his B24. But that's not all. After his dismissal he was hired by Eastern Airlines in January of 1946. He was a Captain for Eastern for over 36 years!! He also flew every aircraft that Eastern had until his retirement in 1982 finishing with their L10-11. By the time he was done Capt Shannon had logged over 30,000 hours!! His son Jimmy continued his flying legacy by flying in the Air Guard and then as a Captain for American Airlines. Captain Shannon's wife Frankie was one of the first flight attendants for Delta Airlines and his daughter Ginny was an attendant as well. This is truly a flying family. Captain Shannon or "Granpa" as we used to call him was one of the greatest men that I have ever had the honor of knowing. His love for his family, his God and his country was and is to be admired.