World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
James Libby Fling
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Memphis, Tennessee
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: CAPTAIN. HE WAS A UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS PILOT, WHO SERVED ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER, USS WASP CV-18 IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE FLEW THE F4U-1D CORSAIR FIGHTER-BOMBER ASSIGNED TO THE MARINE ATTACK SQUADRON VMF-217 ATTACHED TO THE MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP-81. ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1945 HE WAS KILLED IN A FLYING ACCIDENT DURING TAKE-OFF. REPORTED AS MISSING IN ACTION, LOST AT SEA ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND HE IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE HONOLULU MEMORIAL OF THE PACIFIC, ‘PUNCHBOWL’ HAWAII. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: PURPLE HEART, NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. THE CAPTAIN WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.