| Name | Fields, James Richard ‡ |
| Rank | Sergeant / Staff Sergeant |
| Serial Number | 37376011 ‡ |
| Unit Assignments | Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #77 dated 21 August 1943, effective 21 August 1943. |
| Duty | Flexible Gunner |
| MOS | 757 - Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner, AAF |
| Last Duty Date | 16 September 1943 |
| Results | Wounded In Action |
| Decorations | Awarded the Silver Star for 'gallantry in action' during a mission over enemy territory on 16 September 1943.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Extra Achievement. Awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down an enemy aircraft on 16 September 1943. Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 16 September 1943 per General Orders #4, Headquarters 1st Bomb Division dated 22 September 1943. Awarded the Air Medal for five combat missions. |
| Citation For Higher Decoration | SILVER STAR. JAMES RICHARD FIELDS, 37376011, Staff Sergeant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For gallantry in action, while serving as right waist gunner of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe on 16 September 1943. During a determined attack by enemy fighters, a 20 MM cannon shell exploded in the waist section of the plane severely wounding Sergeant Fields and knocking him down. With complete disregard for his painful wounds, Sergeant Fields courageously returned to his gun and continued to fight off repeated attacks. Only when the attacks had ceased did he leave his position to receive first-aid treatment. The courage, skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Fields on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Home address: RFD #2, Williamstown, Missouri. Citation Source: 'As Briefed...' |
| Additional Information |
|
| Photo Album: | Crew Photo Album⇗ |
| CREWMEMBER | POSITION | RESULTS |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Lt. Ashcraft, Archie Bertis, Jr⇗ | Pilot | CT |
| 2nd Lt. Riggins, George Clifton⇗ | Co-pilot | CT |
| 2nd Lt. Oppenheimer, Kenneth Harold⇗ | Navigator | CT |
| 2nd Lt. Hern, Wallace Currie⇗ | Bombardier | TBD |
| S/SGT. Jennings, Romulus Call, Jr⇗ | Radio Operator / Gunner | WIA |
| SGT. Sopher, Francis Walton⇗ | Engineer / Top Turret Gunner | TR |
| SGT. Milstead, Willard Cleo⇗ | Ball Turret Gunner | TBD |
| SGT. Lindsey, William Howard⇗ | Tail Gunner | CT |
| SGT. Oien, Clarence Holger⇗ | Flexible Gunner | TBD |
| SGT. Fields, James Richard | Flexible Gunner | WIA |
| Number | Date | Target | Position | Aircraft | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19⇗ | 31 August 1943 |
Target: Fighter Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner | 42‑29828⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Sortie Report⇗ |
| 20⇗ | 3 September 1943 |
Target: Air Park and Aerodrome Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner | 42‑29828⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Sortie Report⇗ |
| 21⇗ | 6 September 1943 |
Type: Industry Location: Stuttgart, Germany |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner | 42‑29828⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Low Squadron deputy. Landed away at [unknown location] due to low fuel. Sortie Report⇗ |
| 23⇗ | 9 September 1943 |
Target: Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Lille-Vendeville, France |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner | 42‑29828⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Sortie Report⇗ |
| 24⇗ | 16 September 1943 |
Target: Blockade Runner Ship (in Loire River) Type: Transportation Location: Nantes, France |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner | 42‑29828⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit S/Sgt James R. Fields awarded Silver Star (see 'As Briefed...', page 198). Landed away at RAF High Ercall, Shropshire. Sortie Report⇗ |