James Gordon Taylor Jr. (abt. 1917 - 1943)

Born about 1917 in Tennessee, United States [uncertain]

Died 1 Aug 1943 at about age 26 in Ploiești, Prahova, Romania

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Biography

James Taylor Jr. was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States).

James Taylor Jr. was awarded the Purple Heart.

James Taylor Jr. was awarded the Air Medal.

2nd Lieutenant James Taylor Jr. served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started: 11 May 1942
Unit(s): 344th Bomb Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group, Ninth Air Force
Service ended: 1 Aug 1943

2nd Lieutenant James Taylor Jr. was Killed in Action when his B-24 bomber crashed after bombing Ploesti during World War II.

James was born about 1917 in Tennessee.

James was the Navigator of the B-24 Liberator bomber, Tagalong 41-24197 participating in Operation Tidal Wave the low-level attack on the Romanian oil refineries at Ploesti on 1 August 1943. The bomber crashed in a cornfield and exploded shortly after flying over the target. James perished in the crash. He was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to his Distinguished Flying Cross for the mission.

He was killed in action 1 August 1943. His remains have not been identified.

• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #56366963 (accessed 12 June 2023)
  Memorial page for 2Lt James Gordon Taylor Jr. (unknown-1 Aug 1943), citing Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy (plot: Tablets of the Missing); Maintained by John Dowdy (contributor 47791572).
• 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
  citing enumeration district (ED) ED 52, sheet 11B, line 99, family 257, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 556; FHL microfilm 2,340,291.
  FamilySearch Record: X3M4-53R (accessed 12 June 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRHM-Q8C Image number 00685
  James Taylor (13), single nephew-in-law, in household of Charles Stedelin (44) in East St Louis, St Clair, Illinois, United States. Born in Tennessee.

Sources

• Military: "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946"
  citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
  FamilySearch Record: KMX5-M8Y (accessed 12 June 2023)
  Reel Box Card: 02102.67; Enlistment Year: 1942; Name: James G Taylor; Civil Occupation Orig: 175; Enlistment Year Orig: 42; Serial Number: 16040122; Education Orig: 8; Civil Occupation: Salespersons; Source: Enlisted Man, Regular Army, after 3 months of Discharge; Race: White; Branch Code Orig: 20; Marital Status: Single, without dependents; Source Orig: 2; Military Service Date: 11 May 1942; Birth Place: TENNESSEE; Enlistment Term: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law; Grade Code Orig: 6; Major Force Of Assign: 7; Enlistment Place Orig: 0448; Branch Alpha Orig: AC; Enlistment Day: 11; Birth Date: 1917; Component Orig: 6; Enlistment Term Orig: 5; Education: 4 years of college; Grade Code: Corporal; Arc Identifier: 1263923; Enlistment Month: May; Enlistment Month Orig: 05; Event Type: Military Service; Grade Alpha Orig: CPL; Branch Code: Air Corps; Military Occupation: 7115.
• 6 From This Area Missing on U.S. Raids: "Newspapers.com"
  The St. Louis Star and Times (St. Louis, Missouri) Mon, Aug 16, 1943, page 7
  Newspapers Clip: 126304854 (accessed 12 June 2023)
• Cited Navigator From E. St. Louis Reported Missing: "Newspapers.com"
  Belleville Daily Advocate (Belleville, Illinois) Mon, Aug 16, 1943, page 10
  Newspapers Clip: 126307029 (accessed 12 June 2023)
• East St. Louis Officer Missing: "Newspapers.com"
  The Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Illinois) Mon, Aug 30, 1943, page 7
  Newspapers Clip: 126304963 (accessed 12 June 2023)
• 1,548 HONORED AFTER RAID ON PLOESTI FIELD: "Newspapers.com"
  The Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Illinois) Wed, Nov 17, 1943, page 2
  Newspapers Clip: 126302980 (accessed 12 June 2023)
• Lt. Muckensturm, And Three Others Decorated: "Newspapers.com"
  Belleville Daily Advocate (Belleville, Illinois) Fri, Dec 10, 1943, page 3
  Newspapers Clip: 126305404 (accessed 12 June 2023)
• Medal Presented For Lt. James G. Taylor: "Newspapers.com"
  The St. Louis Star and Times (St. Louis, Missouri) Tue, Jan 18, 1944, page 2
  Newspapers Clip: 126307306 (accessed 12 June 2023)
• Other Casualties: "Newspapers.com"
  Belleville Daily Advocate (Belleville, Illinois) Fri, Aug 25, 1944, page 2
  Newspapers Clip: 126315781 (accessed 12 June 2023)
• Missing Air Crew Report MACR 168, Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 11