Flight Officer James C. (Jim) Middledorf enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in 1942 and served in the Army Aviation Corp as a B-17 bomber pilot in the European Theater until June, 1946.
Born March, 8, 1923, in Lafayette, Indiana, Jim moved to Brazil, Indiana and graduated from Brazil High School in 1940. Following post graduate courses, he entered an apprentice program in Detroit at the Dodge Training School before being called onto active duty in February, 1943. After a series of basic and advanced military courses, Jim was selected for pilot training and entered primary flight school at Avon Park, Florida. He received his wings September 1944, at Moody Field, Georgia. From the Stearman trainer, Jim was selected for the B-17 Flying Fortress and deployed to Europe under 8th Air Force.
During World War II, Jim flew B-17 combat missions into the European Theater from England.
In June 1946, Jim returned to Brazil and married his sweetheart, Betty June Mercer. He attended Purdue University and in 1948, Jim joined the Prudential Insurance Company in May 1952. His interest in aviation and love of flying continued beyond his active duty flying and his retirement from the business community in 1983. Jim and fellow aviators formed the Clay County Aviation Corporation, and he continued flying the Cessna 172. In retirement, Jim continued to serve his country and his community as a county commissioner, a layman in his church, and a member of Rotary International.
Jim and Betty have two children: Jaimie and Cathy.