James Leonard Pate was born on April 10, 1924 in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois. He was the son of Walter Pate and Agnes Harriet Coffman Pate. James served as a Staff Sergeant and Gunner on B-17G #42-102862, 817th Bomber Squadron, 483rd Bomber Group, U.S. Air Force during World War II.
B-17G #42-102862 took off from Sterparone, Italy on a bombing mission over Memmingen, Germany on July 18, 1944. Prior to "bombs away" they, along with 6 other B-17's, were attacked by an overwhelming number of German fighter aircraft. B-17G #42-102862, along with other B-17's, were shot down and crashed near Memmingen. He is now buried in the Jacksonville Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, USA.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com
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Pate James Leonard
Name:
James Leonard Pate
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Serial Number:
Unit:
817th Bomber Squadron, 483rd Bomb Group (Heavy)
Date of Death:
1944-07-18
State:
Illinois
Cemetery:
Jacksonville Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Illinois
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
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