World War II Honoree

James Filipski

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Little Falls, New York

Honored By

Vern Sieg

Relationship

Friend

ENLISTED IN U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS ON NOVEMBER 26, 1940 AS PRIVATE. ADVANCED TO THE ENLISTED RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND WAS ACCEPTED FOR OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS). COMMISSIONED AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT ON SEPTEMBER 19, 1942. HE SAW ACTION IN THE PACIFIC AREAS OF OPERATION AS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, 64TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON, 403RD TROOP CARRIER GROUP WITH THE 13TH AIR FORCE. ASSIGNED TO THE 13TH AFTER COMMISSIONING, HE SERVED IN MANY LOCATIONS, INCLUDING ESPIRITU SANTO IN THE NEW HEBRIDES ISLAND CHAIN, HENDERSON FIELD ON GUADALCANAL IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, BIAK ISLAND OFF OF NEW GUINEA AND THE WAR'S END WOULD FIND HIM AT LEYTE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. THE 13TH AIR FORCE DURING HIS SERVICE, FLEW 97,038 COMBAT SORTIES WITH A TOTAL OF 1,439 JAPANESE AIRCRAFT DESTROYED WHILE SUFFERING 490 AIRCRAFT LOSES. HE WAS DISCHARGED AT WAR'S END AT POPE AIR FORCE BASE AT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA.