Foil: 17 Panel: 3 Column: 2 Line: 106

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
The Brede Family

He built model airplanes from the age of 10. Kite flying always fascinated him. He loved the feel of the wind pulling on the kite string. He found it exhilarating to feel the wind in his face as he raced his bicycle down the hill.

When a senior in High School, he received an offer of flying instruction, if he could qualify, with the Army Air Force. "Of course, I can qualify," he said, "where do I sign up?" Two months before graduation day, he obtained permission to leave High School early and join the Air Force.

It was a rough year but on March 12, 1944 he received his coveted silver wings and a second lieutenant's commission, four days before his 19th birthday.

He was assigned as a co-pilot of a B-17. After a period of training with the crew, he was off to England and the 526th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force. The Normandy invasion occurred while the crew was flying across the Atlantic Ocean. This was one of the pioneer non-stop flights and was made possible by installing extra fuel tanks in the bomb bay.

The crew was given the airplane called "Hellcat Agnes" and after several practice missions, began its tour of 35 missions. Not many were able to complete the required number of missions. The loss rate was high.

About halfway through the tour, after a mission in which about half of the squadron was shot down, including the squadron commander, the first pilot was promoted to squadron commander. James continued to fly with this crew, now as the first pilot. A new co-pilot joined the crew.

After completing the tour in near record time of a little less than four months, the crew was rotated back to the U.S. James assumed flying instructor duties.

James was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Bomb Group Distinguished Service Award.