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Personal info

Full name
EMERSON, James F
Date of birth
4 September 1915
Age
29
Place of birth
Strawberry Point, Clayton County, Iowa
Hometown
Volga, Clayton County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
O-886039
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
734th Bombardment Squadron,
453rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
2 October 1944
Place of death
3,5 Miles NE of Pelkum/Hamm, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
M 8 5

Immediate family

Members
Loyd C. Emerson (father)
Mary A. Emerson (mother)
Tiffin F. Emerson (sister)
Catherine M. Emerson (sister)
Oliver L. Emerson (brother)
Josephine Emerson (sister)
Lucy Emerson (sister)
Shiela (Roche) Emerson (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-95252
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Shack Happy
Destination: Hamm, Germany
Mission: Operational
MACR: 9418

More information

1st Lt Emerson entered the Canadian air force in January 1942, and in July 1943, transferred to the American force. He was married to Miss Shiela Roche, an Irish girl, on August 15, and with whom he planned to come to the United States in November.

Lt. Emerson had completed his quota of missions with the American air forces, and had planned to be home on leave at Thanksgiving. However, he volunteered to go over Germany on an additional mission, during which he met his death.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com,
The Telegraph-Herald, www.ancestry.com - 1920 census / Iowa, County Births, www.newspaperarchive.com - Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspaperarchive.com - Dubuque Telegraph Herald