USAAF WORLD WAR II
Flt/Of. James H. Anderson DIS
Hometown: Illinois
Squadron: 705th 446th Bomber Group, Heavy
Service# O2059149
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
2nd/Lt. Dale D. Beasley Pilot
MACR #13537
arget: supply mission to Wesel
Mission Date: 24-Mar-45
Serial Number: # 41-28814
Aircraft Model B24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name:
Location:
Cause: FLAK
Failed to Return ( supply mission to Wesel with Dale Beasley crew; shortly after supplies dropped and while at 300ft, A/C hit by 20mm AAA flak, causing fire to break out between No. 1 and 2 engines. Bail out ordered as A/C entered flat spin. Crew baled out, except the pilot and waist gunners, navigator's chute failed to open. 3 x RTD, 4 x KIA
----------------------------------------------------------
It is with great respect that I thank you for adding my uncle’s (my namesake’s) record on 18 August 2014. He was James H. Anderson (15 February 1924 – 24 March 1945) of the 446th Bomber group, heavy.
He was aboard a B-24 trying to drop supplies on the day of the Rhine crossing (24 March 1945). Apparently they had failed the day before due to clouds, and had to come in low on the 24th to ensure success. Apparently they knew they wouldn’t make it out safely. My uncle James was the flight officer. They were loosing altitude, and Uncle James was helping everyone else out. By the time he was able to get out, there was not enough altitude for his parachute to function. I believe he was the only one to perish.
My father (his brother), is retired Air Force Colonel Arthur W. Anderson, who turns 97 on 2 June. He was a meteorologist predicting weather for his bomb group in England at the time. When word of his brother Jim’s demise reached him, he was able to travel to the location of James’ surviving comrades and learn of James’ heroism first hand. In 1951, I was named after my uncle Jim. It makes me very proud.
My father, his other brother (John Anderson, who is also alive in his 90’s), and myself were at Pima Air Museum in Tucson some years back and came across a B-24 static display with a plaque with James’ name on it (see attached photos from the Pima Air Museum). It was quite a surprise and moving.
Today I googled “James Anderson 3/24/1945” and came across your record and was able to see the headstone of my grandma, my grandpa and uncle James in Sparta, Illinois (my family’s hometown). Just wanted to let you know that your work is touching people’s lives. Feel free to add these photos to the record if you desire
42-73329 Crew
2nd/Lt. Dale D. Beasley Pilot
2nd/Lt. Thomas E. Campbell Co Pilot
Flt/Of. James H. Anderson
Sgt. Jack D. Smith
Sgt. Paul R. Walder
Flt/Of. James H. Anderson DIS
Hometown: Illinois
Squadron: 705th 446th Bomber Group, Heavy
Service# O2059149
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
2nd/Lt. Dale D. Beasley Pilot
MACR #13537
arget: supply mission to Wesel
Mission Date: 24-Mar-45
Serial Number: # 41-28814
Aircraft Model B24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name:
Location:
Cause: FLAK
Failed to Return ( supply mission to Wesel with Dale Beasley crew; shortly after supplies dropped and while at 300ft, A/C hit by 20mm AAA flak, causing fire to break out between No. 1 and 2 engines. Bail out ordered as A/C entered flat spin. Crew baled out, except the pilot and waist gunners, navigator's chute failed to open. 3 x RTD, 4 x KIA
----------------------------------------------------------
It is with great respect that I thank you for adding my uncle’s (my namesake’s) record on 18 August 2014. He was James H. Anderson (15 February 1924 – 24 March 1945) of the 446th Bomber group, heavy.
He was aboard a B-24 trying to drop supplies on the day of the Rhine crossing (24 March 1945). Apparently they had failed the day before due to clouds, and had to come in low on the 24th to ensure success. Apparently they knew they wouldn’t make it out safely. My uncle James was the flight officer. They were loosing altitude, and Uncle James was helping everyone else out. By the time he was able to get out, there was not enough altitude for his parachute to function. I believe he was the only one to perish.
My father (his brother), is retired Air Force Colonel Arthur W. Anderson, who turns 97 on 2 June. He was a meteorologist predicting weather for his bomb group in England at the time. When word of his brother Jim’s demise reached him, he was able to travel to the location of James’ surviving comrades and learn of James’ heroism first hand. In 1951, I was named after my uncle Jim. It makes me very proud.
My father, his other brother (John Anderson, who is also alive in his 90’s), and myself were at Pima Air Museum in Tucson some years back and came across a B-24 static display with a plaque with James’ name on it (see attached photos from the Pima Air Museum). It was quite a surprise and moving.
Today I googled “James Anderson 3/24/1945” and came across your record and was able to see the headstone of my grandma, my grandpa and uncle James in Sparta, Illinois (my family’s hometown). Just wanted to let you know that your work is touching people’s lives. Feel free to add these photos to the record if you desire
42-73329 Crew
2nd/Lt. Dale D. Beasley Pilot
2nd/Lt. Thomas E. Campbell Co Pilot
Flt/Of. James H. Anderson
Sgt. Jack D. Smith
Sgt. Paul R. Walder
USAAF WORLD WAR II
Flt/Of. James H. Anderson DIS
Hometown: Illinois
Squadron: 705th 446th Bomber Group, Heavy
Service# O2059149
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
2nd/Lt. Dale D. Beasley Pilot
MACR #13537
arget: supply mission to Wesel
Mission Date: 24-Mar-45
Serial Number: # 41-28814
Aircraft Model B24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name:
Location:
Cause: FLAK
Failed to Return ( supply mission to Wesel with Dale Beasley crew; shortly after supplies dropped and while at 300ft, A/C hit by 20mm AAA flak, causing fire to break out between No. 1 and 2 engines. Bail out ordered as A/C entered flat spin. Crew baled out, except the pilot and waist gunners, navigator's chute failed to open. 3 x RTD, 4 x KIA
----------------------------------------------------------
It is with great respect that I thank you for adding my uncle’s (my namesake’s) record on 18 August 2014. He was James H. Anderson (15 February 1924 – 24 March 1945) of the 446th Bomber group, heavy.
He was aboard a B-24 trying to drop supplies on the day of the Rhine crossing (24 March 1945). Apparently they had failed the day before due to clouds, and had to come in low on the 24th to ensure success. Apparently they knew they wouldn’t make it out safely. My uncle James was the flight officer. They were loosing altitude, and Uncle James was helping everyone else out. By the time he was able to get out, there was not enough altitude for his parachute to function. I believe he was the only one to perish.
My father (his brother), is retired Air Force Colonel Arthur W. Anderson, who turns 97 on 2 June. He was a meteorologist predicting weather for his bomb group in England at the time. When word of his brother Jim’s demise reached him, he was able to travel to the location of James’ surviving comrades and learn of James’ heroism first hand. In 1951, I was named after my uncle Jim. It makes me very proud.
My father, his other brother (John Anderson, who is also alive in his 90’s), and myself were at Pima Air Museum in Tucson some years back and came across a B-24 static display with a plaque with James’ name on it (see attached photos from the Pima Air Museum). It was quite a surprise and moving.
Today I googled “James Anderson 3/24/1945” and came across your record and was able to see the headstone of my grandma, my grandpa and uncle James in Sparta, Illinois (my family’s hometown). Just wanted to let you know that your work is touching people’s lives. Feel free to add these photos to the record if you desire
42-73329 Crew
2nd/Lt. Dale D. Beasley Pilot
2nd/Lt. Thomas E. Campbell Co Pilot
Flt/Of. James H. Anderson
Sgt. Jack D. Smith
Sgt. Paul R. Walder
Flt/Of. James H. Anderson DIS
Hometown: Illinois
Squadron: 705th 446th Bomber Group, Heavy
Service# O2059149
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
2nd/Lt. Dale D. Beasley Pilot
MACR #13537
arget: supply mission to Wesel
Mission Date: 24-Mar-45
Serial Number: # 41-28814
Aircraft Model B24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name:
Location:
Cause: FLAK
Failed to Return ( supply mission to Wesel with Dale Beasley crew; shortly after supplies dropped and while at 300ft, A/C hit by 20mm AAA flak, causing fire to break out between No. 1 and 2 engines. Bail out ordered as A/C entered flat spin. Crew baled out, except the pilot and waist gunners, navigator's chute failed to open. 3 x RTD, 4 x KIA
----------------------------------------------------------
It is with great respect that I thank you for adding my uncle’s (my namesake’s) record on 18 August 2014. He was James H. Anderson (15 February 1924 – 24 March 1945) of the 446th Bomber group, heavy.
He was aboard a B-24 trying to drop supplies on the day of the Rhine crossing (24 March 1945). Apparently they had failed the day before due to clouds, and had to come in low on the 24th to ensure success. Apparently they knew they wouldn’t make it out safely. My uncle James was the flight officer. They were loosing altitude, and Uncle James was helping everyone else out. By the time he was able to get out, there was not enough altitude for his parachute to function. I believe he was the only one to perish.
My father (his brother), is retired Air Force Colonel Arthur W. Anderson, who turns 97 on 2 June. He was a meteorologist predicting weather for his bomb group in England at the time. When word of his brother Jim’s demise reached him, he was able to travel to the location of James’ surviving comrades and learn of James’ heroism first hand. In 1951, I was named after my uncle Jim. It makes me very proud.
My father, his other brother (John Anderson, who is also alive in his 90’s), and myself were at Pima Air Museum in Tucson some years back and came across a B-24 static display with a plaque with James’ name on it (see attached photos from the Pima Air Museum). It was quite a surprise and moving.
Today I googled “James Anderson 3/24/1945” and came across your record and was able to see the headstone of my grandma, my grandpa and uncle James in Sparta, Illinois (my family’s hometown). Just wanted to let you know that your work is touching people’s lives. Feel free to add these photos to the record if you desire
42-73329 Crew
2nd/Lt. Dale D. Beasley Pilot
2nd/Lt. Thomas E. Campbell Co Pilot
Flt/Of. James H. Anderson
Sgt. Jack D. Smith
Sgt. Paul R. Walder
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