World War II Honoree

James A. Bassett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Steuben County, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: STAFF SERGEANT. SERVED AS A RADIO OPERATOR OF A B-24H ‘LIBERATOR’ BOMBER, WHO WAS KILLED JANUARY 26, 1944 DURING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT. THE CREW TOOK-OFF FROM THE WENDOVER ARMY AIR BASE, WENDOVER, UTAH TO CHECK THE OPERATION AND FUNCTION OF THE A-5 AUTO PILOT SYSTEM. THE BOMBER HAD CRASHED INTO A RANGE OF MOUNTAINS SEVEN MILES NORTHEAST OF THE BASE FATALLY INJURING THE SIX CREWMEN. INVESTIGATORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, AS ALL FOUR ENGINES APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN PRODUCING POWER; ALSO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND POOR VISIBILITY MAY HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.