World War II Honoree

James Whittaker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Burlington, California

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

LIEUTENANT AND CO-PILOT OF B-17 THAT DEPARTED FROM HAWAII OCTOBER 21, 1942 BOUND FOR CANTON ISLAND ABOUT 1,800 MILES TO THE SOUTHWEST. ABOARD WAS EDWARD VERNON “EDDIE” RICKENBACKER WHOSE MISSION WAS TO EVALUATE AND REPORT ON STATUS OF U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES COMBAT UNITS STATIONED IN PACIFIC THEATRE. ITINERARY INCLUDED VISITS TO AUSTRALIA, NEW GUINEA AND GUADALCANAL. PLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE OCEAN. AFTER 21 DAYS ADRIFT HE WAS RESCUED.