World War II Honoree

James Nelson Gabbard

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

San Diego Area, California

Honored By

Barbi Ennis Connolly

HE ENLISTED IN DECEMBER 1941, ENTERED INTO TRAINING AS A FLIGHT ENGINEER AND TAIL-GUNNER. HE SERVED IN THE 319TH BOMB GROUP, 438TH BOMB SQUAD IN THE B-26 MARAUDER MEDIUM BOMBER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. 72 COMBAT MISSIONS OUT OF AFRICA, SARDINIA AND CORSICA, FLYING HIS LAST FEW MISSIONS IN THE B-25 MITCHELL. HIS MAIN B-26 WAS THE 'LONESOME POLECAT' (BATTLE NUMBER 41), FLYING 101 COMBAT SORTIES AND ALMOST ALL OF HIS MISSIONS WITH THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 438TH BOMB SQUAD IN THE PILOT SEAT. HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY WELL, GUARDING HIS SHIP AND CREW FROM ENEMY FIGHTERS WHILE THEY BOMBED BRIDGE AFTER BRIDGE.