James Otto Warenskjold
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: F-6 Mustang
- Nicknames: Chumps Chance
- Unit: 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Cleburne, Texas | 29 October 1919 | |
|
Died |
Landkreis Bernkastel-Wittlich, Germany | 27 September 1944 | His wingman said "Our mission that day was to reconnoiter a small railway network about 20 miles North of the City of Saarbrucken. Fact that the weather was very bad that day complicated things quite abit since the area we were to fly in was very hilly. We took off from Saint Dizier Airfield in France and took a course straight toward the objective. We flew from the beginning under a very low overcast and as we crossed the front line, which at that time ran along the Maselle River, it didn't appear that there would be any break ahead. We were about 16 miles fromt he target when I first noticed a definite mechanical failure in my plane. I called Lt Warenskjold and told him what had happened and that I must return to the base. Knowing the importance of the mission Lt Warenskjold instead of returning, decided to go on alone and accomplish as much as he could in spite of the weather." This was about 7Pm. n the 27th of September 1944, about one month shy of turning 25, James was flying a mission out of St. Dizier, France, with the clouds over Germany so low, was forced to fly at just 100 feet off the ground and follow the "iron beam". There were eight targets on this mission. On his way to take photos over the third, his plane an F-6C (P-51C equipped for reconnaissance) was hit by flak and crashed into a field in Hochsheid, Germany. Mr. Ploes, a German investigator stated that "the poor pilot came in low and had not the slightest chance to take evasive action, the flak just stood there at the ‘right place' and shot the aircraft down immediately." |
|
Buried |
Cleburne, Texas | Cleburne Memorial Cemetery Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas, USA Plot Block 14 Lot 14 |