James Cathcart entered military service in New Jersey. He served in the 860th Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner on the B-17 #43-38209 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on September 19, 1944, when his airplane was shot by flak and crashed in Oberhilbersheim, southeast of Bingen, Germany. Seven other crew members were killed in the crash and the sole survivor, Tail Gunner Clarry Smith, was taken as a prisoner.

B-17 #43-38209 crew were:
Pilot: Jacob H. Laderman
Co-pilot: Walter Beriont
Navigator: Albert F. Wick
Bombardier: John L. Muzii
Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Raymond F. Fox
Radio Operator: John H. Robbin
Ball turret gunner: James Cathcart
Waist gunner: Odell Bascom
Tail gunner: Clarence Smith

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com