James William Edward “Billy”

Name:

William Edward “Billy” James

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-442863

Unit:

510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group

Date of Death:

1944-08-08

State:

Alabama

Cemetery:

Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France

Plot:

B

Row:

14

Grave:

24

Decoration:

Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

William Edward “Billy” James was born on July 18, 1921, in Camden, Alabama. He was the son of William King Edward James and Kathrina Brown James.

William served in the 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot on the P-47 #42-27184 during World War II.

On August 8, 1944, 2Lt James took off at Advanced Landing Ground A8 in Picauville, France, for an armed reconnaissance mission in the Tours sector. At 1:00 PM, he was shot down by flak but was able to evacuate his airplane safely at 500 feet. He was captured by the Germans, but unfortunately, he was killed while a prisoner.

2Lt James is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, francecrashes39-45.net, www.honorstates.org