Martin-Vegue, James Raymond

Individual Personnel Data
Name Martin-Vegue, James Raymond
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / Major
Serial Number O-728223
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 6 January 1943, effective 31 December 1942.
  • Assigned to the 384th Bombardment Group Headquarters Detachment, per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #41, effective 2 July 1943.
  • Transferred to the Casual Pool,70th Replacement Detachment, AAF Station 594, per Headquarters Detachment, 384th Bomb Group Morning Report dated 1 October 1944, effective 27 September 1944.
Duty Navigator
MOS1034 - Navigator
Last Duty Date 27 September 1944
Results Completed Combat Tour
DecorationsDistinguished Flying Cross for Extra Achievement.
Citation For
Higher Decoration
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. JAMES R. MARTIN-VEGUE. 0-728223, Captain, Air Corps, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement while serving as Navigator of a Combat Bombardment Wing of B-17 aircraft on a bombing mission over Germany, 20 June 1944. On this date Captain Martin-Vegue navigated the formation from the point of assembly to a vital strategic objective in Germany. Along the route areas of intense anti-aircraft fire were carefully avoided. The aircraft was engaged by heavy flak upon approaching the target. Disregarding this hazard Captain Martin-Vegue assisted materially in establishing a successful bombing run through his knowledge of the assigned route and target area. Extensive damage was inflicted upon the important enemy installation. The outstanding degree of navigational skill exhibited by Captain Martin-Vegue was instrumental in assuring the success of the operation. The courage, coolness and devotion to duty displayed by this officer reflects the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from Florida. Source: HQ, 1ST BOMBARDMENT DIVISION GENERAL ORDERS #146, 4 JULY 1944
Additional Information
  • Appointed First Lieutenant effective 14 January 1943 per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 12 February 1943.
  • Detailed as Group Navigator per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #41 dated 2 July 1943.
  • Granted an eight day leave of absence effective on or about 31 January 1944 dated 25 January 1944.
  • Granted a seven day leave of absence effective 2 August 1944 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #150 dated 28 July 1944.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
545th BOMB SQUADRON MODEL CREW
The first combat crew assigned to the squadron.
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Carrington, Richard Thompson, Jr⇗PilotPOW
2nd Lt. Roberts, James Richard⇗Co-pilotPOW
2nd Lt. Martin-Vegue, James RaymondNavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Smithwick, Michael Hayes⇗BombardierPOW
S/SGT. Perrotti, Salvatore John⇗Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Schmidlapp, Phillip Elbert⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Smalley, Win Richard⇗Ball Turret GunnerMIA
SGT. Parkins, Walter Carl⇗Tail GunnerMIA
SGT. Scholand, Joseph Anton⇗Flexible GunnerPOW

Crew History

The Carrington Crew was the first one to be assigned to the 545th BS of the 384th BG - becoming its "Model Crew" and "Crew 51" (crew #1 of the 545th) - on 31 December 1942 at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. They flew to Wendover a few days after the ground echelon entrained for the transfer.
Information on the original members of this crew is sketchy, with only Carrington identified by name. The first indication of assignment is in the 31 December 1942 "morning report" (MR) of the 545th BS, which reads "3 2nd Lts, 2 S/Sgts, 3 Sgts" were assigned. Martin-Vegue and Smithwick were the other 2 Lts, and Schmidlapp and Perrotti were the S/Sgts, based on the 6 January 1943 MR. The identity of other members is unclear, and have been tentatively identified based on the 17 May 1943 overseas movement order. Floyd M Wingate joined the 545th as a member of the Myer Crew, but transferred to the Carrington Crew before moving overseas. It is clear that co-pilot Roberts arrived on 15 January 1943 and was later given his own crew; he was replaced by Harvey C Esty (Lecates original co-pilot) prior to transfer overseas. Additional crew changes occurred after arriving in England.
Carrington's crew were shot down on 12 August 1943 mission to Gelsenkirchen, Germany, aboard B-17F 42-3231 "THE INFERNO".
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 23 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
1⇗ 22 June 1943 Target: General Motors Truck Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Antwerp, Belgium 		Navigator 42‑3231⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
3⇗ 26 June 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Navigator 42‑30030⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
4⇗ 28 June 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger, France 		Navigator 42‑5843⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
6⇗ 4 July 1943 Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Le Mans, France 		Navigator 42‑3231⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
9⇗ 24 July 1943 Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Herøya, Norway 		Navigator 42‑5883⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
15⇗ 15 August 1943 Target: Poix-en-Picardie and Amiens-Glisy Airfields
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Poix-de-Picardie & Amiens, France 		Navigator 42‑5852⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
19⇗ 31 August 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France 		Navigator 42‑5852⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing Lead for 41st Combat Bombardment Wing.
Sortie Report⇗
27⇗ 2 October 1943 Target: Port Facilities
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Navigator 42‑30033⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing Lead. Gen. Robert F Travis, Commander, 41st Combat Bombardment Wing (H), Molesworth, AAF Station 107, was aboard this aircraft as Air Task Force 2 Commander.
Sortie Report⇗
31⇗ 10 October 1943 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Münster, Germany 		Navigator 42‑3441⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
36⇗ 16 November 1943 Target: Knaben II Molybdenum Mine
Type: Industry
Location: Knaben, Norway 		Navigator 42‑5838⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Division lead. Salvoed bombs near target (faulty bomb release mechanism).
Sortie Report⇗
40⇗ 5 December 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Saint-Jean-d'Angély, France 		Navigator 42‑3441⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
66⇗ 24 February 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Navigator 42‑31235⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
68⇗ 28 February 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Preuseville, France 		Navigator 42‑38112⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead. Gen. Robert F Travis, Commander, 41st Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy), Molesworth, England, flew aboard this aircraft as Flight Leader.
Sortie Report⇗
91⇗ 19 April 1944 Target: Fieseler Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel (Waldau), Germany 		Navigator 42‑97574⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead. PFF ship and unidentified crew members provided by 305th BG.
Sortie Report⇗
104⇗ 9 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Thionville, France 		Navigator 42‑31364⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
114⇗ 24 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Military Installations
Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Navigator 42‑97647⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing Lead. PFF ship and radio operator (T/Sgt L A Taylor) provided by the 305th BG, Chelveston, AAF Station 105. Col. William L Travis, 41st Bomb Wing, aboard as combat flight leader.
Sortie Report⇗
120⇗ 30 May 1944 Target: Aircraft Hangars and Repair Sheds
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany 		Navigator 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, Wing Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
139⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Navigator 42‑97824⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
141⇗ 20 June 1944 Target: Oil Refineries
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Harburg (Hamburg area), Germany 		Navigator 42‑97699⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, Wing Lead. PFF ship provided by 305th BG, Chelveston, AAF Station 105.
Sortie Report⇗
144⇗ 22 June 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Lille (Fives district), France 		Navigator 42‑97824⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
164⇗ 24 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: La Chapelle en Juger & Hébécrevon, France 		Navigator 42‑107125⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
186⇗ 30 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Crepieul, France 		Navigator 42‑107125⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Gee-H ship. Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
188⇗ 5 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Navigator 44‑8007⇗ Combat Mission Credit
PFF ship. Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗

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