James Floyd Evans was born in Harriman, Tennessee to James Floyd Evans Sr. and Golly Cunnyngham.
Sergeant James F. Evans, US Army Air Forces, was assigned to the 563rd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group H, flying B-17’s out of Knettishall, England. Sergeant Evans was on his fourth mission when his B-17 was shot down over the Baltic Sea. He was killed in action on 11 April 1944. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery, England. Awards include Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
B-17G-BO #42-97255
Pilot, 25nd Lt Wilbur J. Osterkamp
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Leo L. Hughes
Navigator, 2nd Lt Kenneth S. Perlitch
Bombadier, 2nd Lt Harry Solomon
Radio Operator, S/Sgt Elwood R. Tobias
Engineer, S/Sgt Newell M. Ballard
Ball Turret Gunner, Sgt Leo L. Collins
Right Waist Gunner, Sgt James F. Evans
Left Waist Gunner, Sgt George W. Taylor
Tail Gunner, Sgt James A. Whitehead
From 388th at war by Ed Huntzinger:
Mission #92 – Poznan Posen, Poland 11 APR 1944
For this mission, the 388th furnished one Group plus the lead squadron of the Composite Group. Our A Group, with one PFF AC Pathfinder Aircraft attached, was lead for the 45th Combat Wing. The high and low squadrons were furnished by the 96th BG. We were the 3rd and 4th Wings of our our 3rd Air Division, and we followed the 4th Combat Wing. The 13th Combat Wing was to bomb Poznan, a few miles distance in Eastern Poland, at the same time.
The seven AC for the Composite Group took-off by 06h31 and the A Group followed and were airborne by 07h13. One of the AC of the A Group aborted for mechanical reasons and the three spare planes returned as scheduled.
All formations were effected without difficulty and the Groups proceeded to the target as briefed.
As the formation approached the enemy coast near Stettin, it became apparent that visual bombing was impossible, due to weather conditions. Our lead AC relinquished the lead to the PFF AC, which was flying on its right wing, and it was decided to attack Rostock by PFF. As the formation neared Rostock, the city could be seen and bombing was done visually. Bombs were away by 13h15 from 15,700 feet. The B Group also dropped its bombs on Rostock. Strike photos show bombs bursting in the city southeast of the Heinkel Aircraft works. The Wing then proceeded home across the Southern end of the Danish Peninsula.
On the route to the target at 11h49, about 25 Me-109’s attacked for a period of 24 minutes. Just after bombs away, in the Rostock area, the wing was jumped by 10 to 12 FW-190’s and as a result of this fighter attack, four of our AC were lost. 2 AC from each Group.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 27 July 1920
- Date of death: 11 April 1944
- County: Rhea
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 563rd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVI, Bottom Panel
- Contact us to sponsor James F. Evans
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