George T James Jr

Military

George T James served as a pilot with the 9th Air Force. He flew B-26 Marauders with the 391st Bomb Group.



He flew two missions from Matching, England in September 1944, before the group moved to France.

His last mission with the group was on 9 April 1945.

After a week's leave back in England, at Southport, he reported to his new group, the 323rd Bomb Group.

After the war ended, he was assigned to the 387th Bomb Group, 557th Bomb Squadron.

He was on leave in London when news broke that the war in the Pacific had come to an end.



After the war, James left the service but was recalled during the Korean War and this time he decided to stay in the Air Force after the war's end.



In 1952 and 1953, he was based at the Nevada Test Site to study the effects of nuclear weapons on parked aircraft. In 1958 he was stationed at Enewetak in the Marshall Islands on a project to study H-Bomb effects on a flying B-52.



He retired from the Air Force in 1974.



Col. James has written up a detailed account of his World War II, Korean War and Cold War experiences. You can read it here:

http://www.391stbombgroup.com/wwiiexp.htm



He has also put together a detailed list of all of the missions he flew:

http://www.391stbombgroup.com/fltrcd.htm

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
An airman of the 391st Bomb Group wearing a service dress jacket and kilt. Written on slide casing: '391 BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Places

Aerial photograph of Matching airfield looking south, the technical site is on the left, 19 July 1948. Photograph taken by No. 58 Squadron, sortie number RAF/58/62.English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Matching Green
A bomber crew of the 487th Bomb Group, led by Roy K Snell, on leave at Southport. Image via Roy K Snell. Snell has handwritten on the reverse: 'Our crew & others at Southport on rest leave after 20 missions in B-24s.'
  • Site type: Military site
  • Known as: Palace Hotel

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Biloxi, MS, USA 1 March 1943 At Keesler Field

Other

Lives in

San Jose, CA, USA

Born

Illinois, USA
Murray, KY 42071, USA

Other

Studied effects of the H-bomb on a flying B-52

Enewetak Atoll, RMI

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Correspondence with Col. George T James Jr, a 9th Air Force veteran and long-term AAM supporter.
See also: http://www.391stbombgroup.com/wwiiexp.htm