World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
James W. Wheeler
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Albany, New York
Honored By
Robert Michael Rumsby & James R. Martin
HE SERVED WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 2ND AIR DIVISION, 2ND BOMBARDMENT WING, 453RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 734TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON. HE WAS THE BOMBARDIER ON A B-24 NAMED 'OUR BABY'. HE FLEW 10-1/2 MISSIONS WITH THE CREW. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON JULY 21, 1944, WHEN THE 'DIANA-MITE COLLIDED WITH THE 'OUR BABY' IN MID-AIR OVER GERMANY. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL. HIS LAST RANK WAS 2ND LIEUTENANT. HE IS BURIED IN LORRAINE AMERICAN CEMETERY IN ST. AVOLD, FRANCE.