James H Hedren

Military

1st Lt. James Hedren was the Navigator on the 15 October 1944 mission to Cologne - Köln, Germany, onboard the B-24H, 41-29128, Lady Luck, with Lt. Glen Rowe's crew. Hit by flak on the return flight, the badly damaged bomber crashed in an emergency landing attempt by Lt. Rowe at the Saint-Trond, Belgium, Airfield. Like 5 other crew members, Lt. Hedren survived the crash (RTD). The pilot, Lt. Rowe, and 2 other men were killed. 3 KIA 7 RTB. 14 Oct 44.

Connections

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Units served with

A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 38387966
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36597649
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19100929 / O-699774
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15327128 at enlistment, then O-xxxxxx
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Lady Luck
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron

Missions

The flak damaged nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 398th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: '54600 AC- England- 1st lt Lawrence M De Lancey, Corvallis, Oregon, landed this B-17 safely after its nose was literally shot away by flak over Cologne, Germany. Please Credit: Official US Air Force Photo.' Printed caption on image: 'This B-17 landed safely after losing its nose to flak. US AAF Photo.' Handwritten caption on reverse: '43-38172 of 398th BG.'
  • Date: 15 October 1944

Places

Aerial photograph of Bungay (Flixton) airfield, looking south, the technical site- with T2 hangar- and control tower are to the right, where the main airfield gate is also situated, 16 October 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/930. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Flixton

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

4 June 1923 Minnesota, the son of Harry Edwin and Mae C. (Swenson) Hedren

Enlisted

14 October 1942 as an Aviation Cadet at the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, Texas

Other

survived the crash

15 October 1944 of badly-damaged B-24 41-29128 at the Saint-Trond airfield, Belgium

Other

Honorably discharged

14 November 1946

Died

4 December 1988 Hennepin County, Minnesota
Lafayette Village, Nicollet County, Minnesota
Winthrop, Sibley County, Minnesota

Buried

James Hedren rests at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Added details. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24H - 41-29128 - Lady Luck

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
US Census 1930
VETERANS BIRLS files
VA Gravesite Locator

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Connections

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / www.446bg.com/