World War II Honoree

James E. Bilberry, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Buffalo Gap, Texas

Honored By

Jack Stegall

Relationship

Friend

AFTER ENTERING U.S. ARMY SERVICE AT CAMP BARKELEY, TEXAS, SELECTED FOR FLIGHT TRAINING WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES. ATTENDED AIR BASIC IN RYAN PT-22S AT SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA. GRADUATED AS A NAVIGATOR AND COMMISSIONED 2ND LIEUTENANT FROM MATHER ARMY AIR FORCE FIELD IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNED TO BIGGS ARMY AIR FORCE FIELD IN EL PASO, TEXAS. KILLED IN FLIGHT WHEN HIS B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBER CAUGHT FIRE EN ROUTE TO BIGGS RUNWAY. FIVE AIRMEN OF THE CREW PARACHUTED TO SAFETY, 3 OF THE OFFICERS INCLUDING HIM AND 2 SERGEANTS WERE KILLED ON OCTOBER 23, 1943.