James H McPartlin
MilitaryMajor James H McPartlin gets a post-mission dunking at Bassingbourn. McPartlin was a long-time member of the 91st Bomb Group (since the spring of 1943), serving as commander of the 401st Bomb Sq 25 April - 1 July 1944
November 9, 1942 The first low level bombing of the sub pens St. Nazaire, France--10,000; Schweinfurt March 24, 1944; Berlin May 19, 1944; Poesnan May 29, 1944; D-Day June 6, 1944. On D-Day flew the only unauthorized mission with no bombs,no guns, no ammunition and no credit for the mission!. He was asked by General William Gross, commander of the First Combat Wing to put a crew together and fly him over the action and observe the bombing and the landings.
James McPartlin had joined the Air Cadet programme in July 1941 and was first assigned to the 20th Pursuit Group. He then moved to the 91st Bomber Group being one of the origianal group who came to England in September 1942. He was first appointed Operations Officer of the 401st, then its Squadron Commander. During his time in the Air Corps he was - among other assignments - Wing Commander of the 439th Fighter Wing and 442nd Troop Carrier Wing and amassed 4000 hours flying hours. In 1963 he was promoted Brigadier General.
Following his retirement in 1970 he joined the executive staff of Pearle Vision Center in Dallas.
DFC Oak Leaf Cluster, AM 5Oak Leaf Cluster, and 2 PUC, EAME w/ 2 Battle Stars, Victory Medal, Campaign Ribbons
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
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Dyer, Indiana | 20 November 1918 |
Revisions
Biography completed by historian Helen Millgate. Information sourced from newsletters of the 91st Bomb Group related to the service of James McPartlin.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self