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name
COATES, James Oliver - Date of
birth
26 July 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Spartanburg, Spartanburg, South Carolina -
Hometown
Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34381779 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
859th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 July 1944 - Place of
death
Alikendorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 36 | 55 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William L Coates (father)
Agnes (Petit) Coates (mother)
Margie Coates (sister)
Doris Coates (sister)
Betty Coates (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40132 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: I'll Be Around
Destination: Bernburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Junkers-Zweigwerke, aviation industry
MACR: 7230
More information
T/Sgt James O. Coates was a mechanic before he enlisted at Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina on 8 August 1942.After the bomber group dropped their bombs the fighter escort was drawn off to protect another formation. From that moment they were attacked by an overwhelming force of FW-190's.
The initial hit by enemy cannon fire killed both waistgunners, Byers and Brackins on the spot.
The plane went out of control, spinning as it fell.
Five men were able to bail out during the horror. As their chutes neared the ground the German soldiers below began firing at them.
Four crew members were taken prisoner, six were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Alikendorf.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.492ndbombgroup.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.492ndbombgroup.com, Peter Schouteten