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Personal info

Full name
ELLIS, James Columbus
Date of birth
1 November 1918
Age
24
Place of birth
Caswell, Calhoun County, Arkansas
Hometown
Thornton, Calhoun County, Arkansas

Military service

Service number
17032360
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
339th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
28 July 1943
Place of death
Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 37 41

Immediate family

Members
Robert L. Ellis (father)
Nancy O. (Wages) Ellis (mother)
Leonard O. Ellis (brother)
Sherman Ellis (brother)
Clemie M. Ellis (sister)
Carlton T. Ellis (brother)
Robert E. Ellis (brother)
Audrey (Pierce) Ellis (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30394
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Osnabruck, Germany
Mission: Operational
MACR: 143

More information

T/Sgt James C. Ellis enlisted on 1 January 1942. He graduated from Thornton High School and attended Arkansas A & M College
His Aircraft ditched in the North Sea approx. 25 to 50 miles west of the Island of Sylt, Germany.

Statement of S/Sgt Goodson:
It is my belief that Sgt Ellis was unable to securely brace himself, for the crash landing and must have been knocked unconcious. The aircraft sank so rapidly that he was unable to get out of it.

Source of information: André Koch, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record,
www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR 143, www.findagrave.com, Pulaski County, Arkansas, Marriages, WWII Draft Card, Arkansas Gazette - 14 August 1943

Photo source: Jac Engels