World War II Honoree

James B. Colt

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Lyons, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: First Lieutenant. Inducted into the United States Army Air Corps November 7, 1942 at Fort Logan, Colorado. As a graduate of the Advanced Flight Aviation Cadet program, he accepted his Commission and Silver Pilot Wings. He served as a P-47 ‘Thunder-Bolt’ Fighter Pilot, assigned to the 392nd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, and a subordinate of the U.S. Ninth Army Air Forces. His unit was based at the Stoney Cross, Royal Air Force Station Location: New Forest, England. Wednesday, April 4, 1945 he was reported missing in action, while participating in an armed reconnaissance mission on a German Airfield at Schweinfurt, Germany. His name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Luxembourg American Cemetery Location: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. In his Memory and Honor, this American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to the Lieutenant for support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement, while participating in an aerial flight. The Air Medal was awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, and the Purple Heart, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.