James R Happel
Military
Object Number - UPL 18548 - Capt James R Happel 335th FS, 4th FG, 8AF USAAF, former 121 Eagle Sqn RAF spitfire pilot.
Major Happel was from Paulsboro, New Jersey, and joined the RAFVR in 1940.
Assigned to 121 (Eagle) Squadron RAF. 1941.
He transferred to the 335th Squadron, 4th Fighter Group on 24-9-42.
Designated Squadron Oxygen Officer 24-3-43
Promoted to 1st Lieutenant 13-4-43
Designated Flight Commander C Flight 6-12-43
Promoted to Captain 22-1-44
Designated Flight Commander B Flight 3-2-44
Appointed Squadron Assistant Operations and Gunnery Officer 5-3-44
Designated Squadron Operations Officer 24-3-44
Appointed Squadron Commanding Officer 18-4-44
He finished his tour and returned to the States on 23-6-44.
James had 8.7 victories to his credit, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Post War Career: Pilot, Allegheny Airlines.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Paulsboro, NJ, USA | 17 October 1920 | Born - 17 October 1920 Paulsboro, New Jersey, USA. |
|
Other Joined the RAFVR |
18 September 1941 | Joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. | |
|
Other Transferred |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 14 October 1942 - 30 September 1944 | Transferred to 335th FS, 4th FG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Other Ended tour duty ETD |
United States | 23 June 1944 | Finished tour and returned to the States. |
|
Died |
Berkeley Heights, NJ, USA | 1 June 1970 | Died - 1 June 1970 Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, USA. |
| Paulsboro, NJ, USA | |||
|
Other Assigned |
Kirton in Lindsey, Gainsborough, North Lincolnshire DN21, UK | 14 October 1942 | Assigned to 121 Sqn RAF. |
|
Other Service pilot training |
Tulsa, OK, USA | Service pilot training in US. | |
|
Other Shipped overseas |
Merseyside, UK | Shipped overseas to ETO. | |
|
Other Operational training |
Great Britain, United Kingdom | Operational training at OTU. Conversion to Hurricane and Spitfires. |
Revisions
EAGLES of the RAF - The World War II Eagle Squadrons by Phillip D Caine.
http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=3561
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/335_h…
EAGLES of the RAF - The World War II Eagle Squadrons by Phillip D Caine.
http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=3561
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/335_h…
Personal research & 'Eighty-One Aces of the 4th Fighter Group' by Frank Speer.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list / http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/pilots.html
