James Crabtree was born in Rockwood, Tennessee, the son of James Squire Crabtree and Margaret Ballou.
He was killed in action in Germany on January 11, 1944
Buried at Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium, B, 35, 46
Aircraft B-17F with serial number 42-29993 departed from Thurleigh, England on a heavy bombing mission to Halberstadt, Germany. The aircraft was attacked by FW-190’s and had their tail shot off. They crashed at Diepenveen in the Netherlands.
Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt Donald W. Tattershall
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt William E. Grisham
Navigator, 2nd Lt James Crabtree Jr.
Bombardier, 2nd Lt John T. Whittle Jr.
Engineer-Top Turret Gunner, S/Sgt Leroy K. Johnson
Radio Operator, T/Sgt James A. Hobbs
Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt Carmel A. Melita
Right Waist Gunner, Sgt Robert H. Hegg
Left Waist Gunner, Sgt Elmer J. Sweitzer
Tail Gunner, SSgt William E. Dodson
The Cincinnati Enquirer, January 27, 1944
Lieutenant James Crabtree Jr., 24, Fortress navigator, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Crabtree, 6444 Glade Avenue, Mount Washington, has been missing since a January 11 raid over Germany, his family reported yesterday. Enlisting in the Army in November, 1941, Crabtree served with an artillery unit for a year before he was transferred to the Army Air Forces. He was commissioned last July and has been overseas since November. He had been on at least six raids, it is believed.
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 6 January 1920
- Date of death: 11 January 1944
- County: Scott
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVII, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor James Crabtree Jr.
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