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name
JAMES, Vernon W - Date of
birth
20 January 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Ophir, Curry County, Oregon -
Hometown
Ophir, Curry County, Oregon
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39302945 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
551st Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 October 1944 - Place of
death
500 m west of Liepe, 24 km north of Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 10 | 42 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harvey E. James (father)
Fanny L. James (mother)
Warren James (brother)
Dolly James (sister)
Clyde James (brother)
Ruth James (sister)
Walter James (brother)
Harold James (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-98010 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
MACR: 9523
More information
Vernon James was a lumber man before he enlisted in Portland, Oregon on 24 June 1941.At 1207 hours, at the I.P., enemy fighters attacked in mass formation from the rear and above, coming out of the clouds. The first attack reduced the Group strength to 2 B-17s (which two is undetermined). The fighters then returned and in another mass attack, using the same tactics, shot down the remaining two. Attacks were very aggressive and sudden.
No exact information of the attack is available because no B-17 of the Group concerned returned.
Only one crew member survived and was taken prisoner. Eight men were killed. They were initially buried at the community cemetery of Liepe on 8 October 1944.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten