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Submit- Full
name
BLACKBURN, James Riley "Jimmy" - Date of
birth
5 May 1914 -
Age
29 - Place of
birth
Royal, Antelope County, Nebraska -
Hometown
Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O2044434 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
407th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
14 October 1943 - Place of
death
Near Mülheim, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 29 | 45 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ralph G. Blackburn (father)
Manona D. (Jones) Blackburn (mother)
Vernon D. Blackburn (brother)
Edwin R. Blackburn (brother)
Audrey A. (Horn) Blackburn (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30726 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Schweinfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the ball bearing plant
MACR: 846
More information
2nd Lt James R. Blackburnwasnt execpted into the Army of the United States due to his height. He therefore joined the Royal Canadian Air Force but was later transferred to the Army Aircorps.On leaving the target, the airplane was attacked by a German firgher and exploded in the air.
2nd Lt Harry C. McIntosch:
Plane was on fire and I was blown out. Lt Blackburn was in the plane at the time of the explosion, and I never saw him again or heard anything more about him.
One picture shows his wife at Jimmy’s grave.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Garland Family Tree, www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – MAJ Jimmy Cotton
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy, Anthony Destro, www.ancestry.com - Csylvstr