Memorial

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Cpl James W. Wright graduated from high school and attended Stockton Junior College for one year.

He joined the Regular Army in San Francisco, California on 18 Ocotber 1940.

The 15th Squadron, operating in conjunction with the British 226th Squadron, attacked four airdrome in occupied territority at approximately 8:00 AM. Six A-20 American aircraft were flown by American crews operating in conjunction with six aircraft of similar type flown by British crews to attack the following four airdromes: De Kooy (located immediately southeast of the Dutch navy harbor city Den Helder, NW Netherlands), Haamstede (located in the Dutch southwestern province Zeeland), Valkenburg (north of the city of Den Haag, The Hague, western Netherlands) and Bergen (immediately northwest of the city of Alkmaar, NW Netherlands).

All planes were loaded with two 500-lb, 11 second delayed action fuse and 16 30-lb incendiaries.

Statement from Ira C. Eaker, Brig Gen: "'I was present at the briefing and talked to the British base and squadron Commander and the returned crews. The two northern airdromes – De Kooy and Haamstede – were exceptionally heavily defended by light flak. The crews believed that this resulted from the fact that approaching aircraft passed over small boats en route to the target and personnel aboard these boats flashed a warning to the antiaircraft defenses. The attackerson the two southern airdromes found no evidence that they were anticipated. Neither of our losses was the result of fighter action as far as can be determined. However, the British aircraft which was lost was undoubtedly damaged by light flak, slowed down, and later destroyed by a fighter."

The airplane was hit by light flak.
Pilot 2nd Lt Frederick A. Loehrl, who is remembered at the Walls of the Missing at Margraten, Gunner Sgt Robert L. Whitham and Sgt James Wright were killed. Only the navigator, Lr M.D. Draper survived and was taken prisoner. He was the first POW of the 8th Air Force in the ETO.