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name
PIRTLE, James Glenn - Date of
birth
15 January 1913 -
Age
31 -
Place of birth
El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Klamath Falls, Klamath County, Oregon
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39328818 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
858th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
16 September 1944 - Place of
death
Bainville-aux-Miroirs, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine -
Tablets of the Missing
* This soldier has been accounted for. A rosette has been placed next to his name.
Immediate family
-
Members
Glenn R. Pirtle (father)
Margaret E. (McManus) Pirtle (mother)
Katherine L. Pirtle (sister)
Jessie (Garrison) Pirtle (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-50603 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: France
Mission: Supply drop for the resistance
MACR: 9493
More information
S/Sgt James G. Pirtle attended college and was employed at the Imperial Garage before he enlisted in Portland, Oregon on 11 March 1943.The aircraft was tragically shot down by friendly fire over Bainville-aux-Miroirs in France on 16 September 1944, during a resupply mission for the French Resistance. Six of the eight crew members lost their lives in this crash.
He is remembered at the El Reno Cemetery in El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on 15 August 2025 that S/Sgt James G. Pirtle was accounted.
His name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Lorraine American Cemetery. A rosette was placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Funeral arrangments are pending. Further information will follow (information added November 2026).
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - WWII Draft Cards Young Men / James Glen Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Mike Casey / Judy Borden Soos
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Michael V Drachman / Mike Casey