Jack Matthew Thames was born in Geneva County, Alabama, the son of Rev. Richard Harmon Thames and Ollie Vee Windham.

Aircraft B-17G with serialnumber 42-97558 was on an objective bombing mission to Weimar, Germany. The aircraft crashed at Burg Weimar, Germany

Statement from Hugh M. Hamill, 1st Lt, Air Corps, Assistant Group S-2 Officer: “At 1125 at 24,300 feet at about 5221N-1200E, on a mission of 24 August 1944, our aircraft #42-97558, flying number 3, low squadron, low bar, dropped out of formation and appeared to be aborting. It was not seen again. No enemy aircraft or flak was reported as encountered at this time, and no damage to the aircraft was noted.”

Crewmembers
Pilot, 2nd Lt Teddy G. Shaw
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Richard H. Parsons
Navigator, 2nd Lt Jack M. Thames
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Paul J. Terjak
Top Turret Gunner, Sgt Robert P. Stewart
Radio Operator, Sgt Lawrence W. Erlings
Gunner, Sgt J.L. Perry
Gunner, Sgt Elbert Q. Allen
Tail Gunner, Sgt Clarence W. Cox

The Knoxville Journal, June 11, 1944
Second Lt. Jack M. Thames, son of Rev. And Mrs. R.H. Thames,  has received his wings and commission as aerial navigator at an AAF Traning Command School located in a Southern State. As graduate of this school, he was transferred to operational and replacement training unit, where he will train for combat with his future battlemates.

The Johnson County, News, September 14, 1944
Lt. Jack M. Thames, son of the Rev. And Mrs. R.H. Thames, of Morristown, Tenn., formerly of Mountain City, was reported as missing in action over Germany since August 24. Lt. Thames is Navigator on B-17 and was based in England. He has been overseas only two months and at the time of entering service resided in Mountain City. Rev. Thames served as pastor of the Mountain City Methodist Church, and last October was moved to Morristown.

  • Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Date of birth:
    • 30 November 1922
  • Date of death: 24 August 1944
  • County: Blount
  • Hometown: Mountain City
  • Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
  • Division/Assignment: 748th Bomber Squadron, 457th Bomber Group, Heavy
  • Theater: Europe
  • Conflict: World War II
  • Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar VI, Middle Panel
  • Contact us to sponsor Jack M. Thames

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