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Williamson, James Edward

Individual Personnel Data
Name Williamson, James Edward, "Cotton"   ‡
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Rank Sergeant / Staff Sergeant
Serial Number 20757305   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #56 dated 24 March 1944, effective 24 March 1944.
Duty Tail Gunner
MOS612 - Airplane Armorer / Gunner
Last Duty Date 8 September 1944
Results Completed Tour, Returned to USA
DecorationsAwarded the Silver Star for 'gallantry in action' during a mission over Germany on 24 April 1944.
Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 24 April 1944 per General Orders #66, Headquarters, 1st Bomb Division dated 3 May 1944.
Citation For
Higher Decoration
SILVER STAR. JAMES E. WILLIAMSON, 20757305, Staff Sergeant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For gallantry in action against the enemy while on a heavy bombardment mission over Germany, 24 April 1944. Shortly after the bombing run, the pilot of the Flying Fortress in which Sergeant Williamson was serving as tail gunner was forced to leave the formation due to severe damage inflicted by hostile fighters. During these savage assaults, he manned his guns with exceptional skill and warded off repeated attacks on his position. While returning at 'tree top' altitude, fragments of a bursting flak shell seriously wounded Sergeant Williamson. The pilot sent a member of the crew to the tail compartment to remove him from the turret and administer first-aid treatment. Though suffering sxtreme pain, Sergeant Williamson refused treatment and continued to man his guns against the enemy, leaving his turret only after the aircraft had returned to England. The gallantry, disregard for personal safety and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Williamson inspired his comrades and contributed to their safe return. Entered military service from Arkansas.

Citation Source: 'As Briefed...'
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 23 July 1918
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #124 dated 29 June 1944.
  • Granted a seven day convalescent furlough effective 3 August 1944 per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 3 August 1944.
  • Transferred in grade to the Casual Pool, 8th AFRD, AAF Station 594 on 8 September 1944 per Squadron Morning Report.



Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Gowder, Charles Fred⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Thompson, Willard H, "Will"⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Fazio, Vincent Joseph, "Vince"⇗NavigatorKIA
2nd Lt. Brooks, James Joseph, "JJ"⇗BombardierCT
S/SGT. Barnes, Francis Eugene⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
SGT. Beaugh, George (NMI), "Opelousas Kid"⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
PVT. Sacco, Salvatore R, "Sal"⇗Ball Turret GunnerTR
SGT. Williamson, James Edward, "Cotton"Tail GunnerCT
SGT. Leber, Richard Edward, "Dick"⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 18 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
86⇗ 9 April 1944 Target: FW-190 Fighter Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Marienburg, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑31211⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 0928 hrs; could not locate formation due to bad weather. Landed away at RAF Witchford, Cambridgeshire.
Sortie Report⇗
88⇗ 11 April 1944 Target: FW Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Sorau, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97081⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
89⇗ 13 April 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑107058⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
93⇗ 22 April 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑107058⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
94⇗ 24 April 1944 Target: Dornier-Werke GMBH Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑107058⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at RAF Manston, Kent, on return due to crew casualties and battle damage. This aircraft had two killed and four wounded aboard. 2nd Lt. Charles Gowder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. S/Sgt. James E. Williamson, tail gunner, was awarded the Silver Star.
Sortie Report⇗
120⇗ 30 May 1944 Target: Aircraft Hangars and Repair Sheds
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Lead Group, original Low Squadron Deputy. Turned back at 0952 hrs due to illness of tail gunner.
Sortie Report⇗
133⇗ 12 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge 48°29'N,2°0'W
Type: Transportation
Location: La Vicomté-sur-Rance, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
134⇗ 13 June 1944 Target: Dreux Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dreux, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑107121⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
135⇗ 14 June 1944 Target: Coulommiers Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Coulommiers, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Wing, Lead Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
136⇗ 15 June 1944 Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: La Possonnièrre, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
137⇗ 16 June 1944 Target: Athies Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Laon, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
139⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
141⇗ 20 June 1944 Target: Oil Refineries
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Harburg (Hamburg area), Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report⇗
142⇗ 21 June 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Industrial Area
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Lead Group, High Squadron Lead. Turned back over base at 0545 hrs due to illness of ball turret gunner.
Sortie Report⇗
143⇗ 22 June 1944 Target: V-2 Storage & Launch Site
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Wizernes, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
149⇗ 30 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Montdidier, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
151⇗ 6 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Coubronne, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High section lead, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
152⇗ 6 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Blanc Pignon Ferme, Cléty, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
153⇗ 7 July 1944 Target: Me-109 Aircraft Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Leipzig, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, high group, 41st A wing.
Sortie Report⇗
155⇗ 11 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
156⇗ 12 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑102500⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
157⇗ 13 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗

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