Memorial

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James A. Palmer attended Sandpoint High School. He was employed at a lumber company as a truck driver.

He joined the Air Corps of the Philippine Scouts at Geiger Field, Washington, on 5 September 1942.

Statement of Maj Gordon E. Baker, who flew in the same mission: "I was leading Red flight on withdrawal escort for bombers. We were on the right side of a box of bombers, at the same altitude, and about 2,000 yards out. Yellow flight was above and behind us. A flight of P-38s was to our right, about 1,000 yards. And behind about 1,000 yards. They were approximately 500 below and going in the same direction. I started an orbit to the right, and we had completed about 180 when the P-38 flight turned into us. They dove under my flight about 500 and started a pull-up on the other side.

My number two man, Lt Palmer, fell behind in the turn and slightly below. I believe that he was hit by the number three of the P-38 flight. They hit head-on, both in a climbing attitude. There was a terrific explosion, and both planes practically disintegrated. I did not see any parachutes."

His remains were found in the river Durme in September 1944.

These facts are inextricably linked to the story of Capt Des Voignes, the pilot of the P-38 with which Lt Palmer collided, who is also buried at Ardennes.