World War II Honoree

James C. Wiersma

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

South Holland, Illinois

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS. SERVED AS A RADIO OPERATOR ONBOARD A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS ASSIGNED TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 94TH COMBAT WING, 351ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 510TH BOMB SQUADRON (RADIO CALL SIGN TIPSTAFF), AT ROYAL AIR FORCE POLEBROOK (USAAF STATION #110), LOCATED ON THE ROTHSCHILD COUNTRY ESTATE IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, ENGLAND. ON TUESDAY JANUARY 11, 1944, WHILE FLYING AS THE RADIO OPERATOR ON HIS 70TH COMBAT MISSION ABOARD THE B-17 AIRCRAFT TAIL #42-31481, HE WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT. THEY WERE ON A BOMB RUN TO AN AIRCRAFT FACTORY IN OSCHERSLEBEN, GERMANY. HE WAS CAPTURED AND HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR IN STALAG LUFT 1 BARTH-VOGELSANG, PRUSSIA.