James Anthony Butcher
MilitaryAssigned to 775BS, 463BG, 15AF USAAF. Wynn crew. Failed to Return (FTR) Munich 19-Jul-44; Shot down in B-17 42-97816. James stayed at his station transmitting emergency messages despite being soaked in petrol from the damaged fuel transfer system. Finally he baled out shortly before the A/C exploded, landing on mountainous ground, breaking his ankle, captured by enemy fighter pilots, who were at a rest camp nearby, he was hospitalised until his foot had healed and then passed into the POW system. Prisoner of War (POW)
Awards: AM (2OLC), PH, POW, EAME, WWII Victory
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 775th Bomb Squadron 463rd Bomb Group
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Foggia Satellite #1, San Nicola-d'Arpi
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Brooklyn, New York | 23 December 1921 | BornBrooklyn, New York |
|
Enlisted |
Mitchel Field Hempstead LI New York | 29 May 1942 | EnlistedMitchel Field Hempstead L I New York |
|
Prisoner of war Prisoner of War (POW) |
Stalag Luft IV, Tychowo Poland | 19 July 1944 - 1 May 1945 | Prisoner of War (POW)Stalag Luft IV |
|
Other Discharged |
12 October 1945 | ||
|
Died |
8 October 1972 | ||
|
Buried |
Long Island National Cemetery East Farmingdale, New York | 11 October 1972 | InterredLong Island National CemeteryEast Farmingdale, New York |