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name
BRANAGAN, James William - Date of
birth
8 June 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey -
Hometown
Jersey City Hudson County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-688624 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
332nd Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
4 March 1944 - Place of
death
Near Menen, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 44 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John Branagan (father)
Mary Branagan (mother)
Elizabeth Branagan (sister)
Mary Branagan (sister)
John Branagan (brother)
William Branagan (brother)
Raymond Branagan (brother)
Robert Branagan (brother)
Richard Branagan (brother)
Grace Branagan (sister)
Catherine Branagan (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39801 -
Data
TypeL B-17G
Nickname: Double Trouble II aka Northern Queen
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 2978
More information
2nd Lt James W. Branagan graduated from Dickinson High School in 1939 and attended college. He was a financial clerk at the the brokerage firm of Charles Jones and Co.He enlisted in Newark, New Jersey on 21 October 1942.
The crew was forced to leave the plane, due to mechanical failure on the return flight. The entire crew bailed out. Five crew members were taken prisoner, four evaded capture with the help of the Belgian resistance. Only 2nd Lt Branagan didn't survive. Civilians found his body with serious internal injuries and the rip cord of his parachute unpulled.
Note: According to the family, the right spelling of his name is Brangan.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial, Archives, Ancestry, Fold3, 1940 Census, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Dickinson High School, 1939, Jersey Journal - 25 October 1944