James W Braa

Military

Object Number - UPL 26189 - Dad and Katie ll

James Braa served as a ball turret gunner with the 566th Bomb Squadron of the 389th Bomb Group, flying bombing missions out of Hethel, England. He completed his tour of 30 missions between March and June 1944, flying his final two missions on D-Day.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Armorer; Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator B-24

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Sackwarmer
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50551) nicknamed "Delectable Doris" of the 389th Bomb Group Image via LR Ades. Written on slide casing: 'Fall of 1944, Hethel.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Delectable Doris
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 6 June 1944
  • Official Description: The Eighth Air Force reaches its top strength as 493d Bomb Group (Heavy) becomes operational, making a total of 40 Heavy Bomb Groups now operational. Heavy Bombers fly 4 missions in support of the invasion of Normandy. 1,361 Heavy Bombers are...
  • Date: 6 June 1944
  • Official Description: Eighth reaches its top strength as 493d Bomb Group (H) becomes operational, making a total of 40 Heavy Bomber Groups now operational. Heavy Bombers fly 4 missions in spite of the invasion of Normandy. The third mission is dispatched against the...
  • Date: 4 June 1944
  • Official Description: Third mission of the day consists of attacks by 400 Heavy Bombers on 10 targets including Airfields, railway junctions and bridges. No Bombers are lost.
  • Date: 3 June 1944
  • Official Description: In Operation COVER, 338 Heavy Bombers attack coastal defenses in the Pas de Calais area, bombing a total of 22 assigned targets. In second mission of the day 215 Heavy Bombers attack 16 of the targets bombed during the first mission. No Bombers are...

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Tacoma, WA, USA 10 December 1942

Born

Idaho, USA
Snohomish County, WA, USA

Revisions

Date2 Mar 2017 10:40:01
ContributorLucy May
Sources

Connected up to records of Braa's crew members - names from Braa's Lucky Bastard certificate, in possession of his son Jim Braa.

Date20 Jan 2017 16:27:15
ContributorLucy May
Date12 Jan 2017 07:19:47
Contributorjbraa
Sources

Entered by his son from data on his "Lucky Bastard Club" certificate.

Date27 Sep 2014 18:14:57
ContributorAAM
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit History, 389th BG Roster

James W Braa: Gallery (7 items)