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name
PICARD, James L - Date of
birth
30 August 1914 -
Age
29 - Place of
birth
Rensselaer, Rensselaer County, New York -
Hometown
Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31135417 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
587th Bombardment Squadron,
394th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
14 June 1944 - Place of
death
Saint-Peravy-la-Colombe, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 6 | 68 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph L. Picard (father)
Cecelia J (Schmidt) Picard (mother)
Mary D. Picard (sister)
Virginia A. Picard (sister)
Ellen R. Picard (sister)
Harriet F. Picard (sister)
Louis L. Picard (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-96210 -
Data
Type: B-26B-55
Nickname: Ginny Lou
Destination: Cloyes, France
Mission: Not available
MACR: 6194
More information
S/Sgt James L. Picard attended high school for three years and was employed at Liggett's Drug Company.He enlisted in Boston, Massachusetts on 20 June 1942.
T/Sgt Allen S. Cook:
On 14 June 1944, on a mission over France, I was flying in number 4 position in flight in which Lt. Harley was flying No.2 position No.2 ship was hit by heavy flak and burst into flames instantly, apparently a direct hit. No.2 maintained position momentarily then peeled left and down directly between the No.1 and No.4 ships nearly hitting No.4 on the way down. Bombs were salved from the ship slightly below flight and the ship continued losing altitude with pilot apparently trying to hold it level. He succeeded for some time but the ship finally dove into ground and exploded. To my observation no one escaped from the plane.
He was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery Solers, France.
A monument was erected in the crew's memory in Saint-Peravy-la-Colombe, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.findagrave.com – Andy / Russ Pickett, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Andy