James Oliver Combest
MilitaryAssigned to 407BS, 92BG, 8AF USAAF. Took off from Goose Bay in YB-40 42-5732 en route to Meeks Field, Iceland but there was a severe storm in that area. Aiming toward an alternate base while dealing with the storm, the plane was running out of fuel. Pilot made a crash landing at Brenish on the Isle of Lewis, UK. 7-May-43 RTD
Killed on 28-Jun-43 mission to Saint Nazaire, aboard B-17 piloted by Lt Stafford W Webb; Hit in abdomen by large chunk of flak, no 1st aid possible, died within 30 seconds of being hit. Killed in Action (KIA)
Awards: PH.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron 327th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16052088 / O-792103
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-791358
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The mugger
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 28 June 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Casey County, KY | 11 July 1916 | Son of Thomas Marion and Susan Armilda 'Susie' [Holder] Combest. |
Enlisted |
Kalamazoo, MI | 23 January 1942 | |
Died |
Saint Nazaire | 28 June 1943 | Killed on 28-Jun-43 mission to Saint Nazaire, aboard B-17 piloted by Lt Stafford W Webb; Hit in abdomen by large chunk of flak. Killed in Action (KIA) |
Buried |
Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, UK | 29 June 1943 | Interred Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridge |
Buried |
Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, KY | Re-Interred Mill Springs National Cemetery Nancy, Pulaski County, KY Pllot D, 0, 791-B | |
Based |
Podington | 28 June 1943 | Assigned to 407BS, 92BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p. 501-2