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Personal info

Full name
LAWMAN, James Sterling
Date of birth
5 January 1924
Age
21
Place of birth
Bridgeport, Harrison County, West Virginia
Hometown
Bridgeport, Harrison County, West Virginia

Military service

Service number
35752433
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
568th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
14 January 1945
Place of death
3 km east of Garlitz, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 16 2

Immediate family

Members
Lee H. Lawman (father)
Rosa B. Lawman (mother)
Harold W. Lawman (brother)
Pauline M. Lawman (sister)
Chester A. Lawman (brother)
Robert L. Lawman (brother)
Opal V. Lawman (sister)
Rachel E. Lawman (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-102677
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Mississippi Mission
Destination: Derben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil storage
MACR: 11725

More information

S/Sgt James S. Lawman enlisted in Clarksburg, West Virginia on 5 April 1943.

The aircraft was last seen during intense fighter attacks by approximately 100 FW 190s and ME 109s at about 1210 hours. Due to the fact that the entire squadron was lost during these encounters, there are no particulars available on the attack and subsequent loss of this aircraft.

Five crew members were killed, five were taken prisoner.

S/Sgt Lawman was killed by 20 mm shells. His body was found near the crash site. He was initially buried at the community cemetery of Barnewitz on 17 January 1945.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, WWII Memorial, Fold3, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Raphaël Marchal