Named WWII Knife - Bombardier 15th AAF

[Doc B]

Here is a picture of him, from his obituary, in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette...

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[kootenay joe]

Thanks for posting James' obituary. Seems he had numerous artistic interests and some church activities. Studied architecture and then worked in a music store. I hope he found some happiness in his life after the war.
kj

[Suredan]

Very cool group. Are you sure he flew 35 missions? Bomber crews in WW2 were usually furloghed after 25 missions and very few of those who flew over Germany ever made the 25 until the introduction of the P-51 fighter escorts late in the war. Many people don't realize that we lost more air crew than ground troops during WW2. Funny about those knives, there are a lot of them out there, (I have two) yet nobody knows who made them. Some have all leather handles, some have several aluminum spacers among the leather, and some have fiber washer handles and some of those having similar aluminum spacers.

While 25 missions was considered a complete tour of duty, airmen could and did volunteer for more. Additionally, that number was increased later in the war.

[Quick Steel]

When we first started flying bombing missions out of England there was no limit on the number of missions. Everyone was in for the duration. The losses were terrible. The average number of flights completed before being shot down was 15. The crews were breaking down emotionally in large numbers. Finally, psychologists recommended establishing a specific number of flights which would end the airmen's combat assignments.
This policy greatly improved morale by introducing an element of hope. But the missions remained as deadly as ever.

May they all now be enjoying the peace for which they so bravely fought.

[1967redrider]

I'm a complete Civilian, but I could see how not having limits would eventually be seen as a death sentence. Not like soldiers don't have to deal with that anyway, but fly until you die had to take a toll on one's mental state.

I am grateful, supportive and appreciative of our service members.