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name
WHITE, James Walter - Date of
birth
6 October 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Evergreen, San Jacinto County, Texas -
Hometown
Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38207065 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
559th Bombardment Squadron,
387th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 March 1944 - Place of
death
Near Ostende, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| M | 12 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Center E. White (father)
Leona (Philips) White (mother)
Gertrude White (sister)
Frances J. White (sister)
Ernest White (brother)
Addie F. White (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-31698 -
Data
Type: B-26B
Nickname: 9 House / Hot Garters
Destination: Linghem, France
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 2525
More information
Sgt James W. White enlisted in Houston, Texas on 20 August 1942.Statement from John L. Wilson, 14021774, S/Sgt, 559th Bomb Squadron.
"We were flying with th 556th Bomb Squadron in the second box in number five position of the leed element. Just after making landfall, we saw heavy flak. I was flying in the tail, and from the left waist window I saw a B-26 going down in flames. The ship was about five thousand feet from the ground and was in a spin with flames shooting out from the bomb bays. About one second later, the ship split in half and pieces strated flying in all directions. Shortly after this I saw a chute, so I stopped watching the plane and followed the chute. The wind carried the chute out about a quarter of a mile into the sea, where I could see boats going after it. By this time it was all over and I was doing some personal evasive action against the flak."
Source of information: André Koch, Astrid van Erp, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR 2525
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Scarlett Riby