James Wilbur Jeter
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Find-a-Grave, Field of Honor Database
Object Number - UPL 20270
Killed in Action (KIA) crashed near Liege in P-51D-15NA #44-14972 on a Bomber Escort mission to Merseburg, Germany; received Purple Heart Medal
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Air base
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Arlington, VA, USA | 28 February 1924 | Born to James B & Leona M Jeter |
|
Enlisted |
Miami Beach, FL, USA | 2 February 1943 | Enlisted as Private in the Air Corps Reserve; living in DC at the time |
|
Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
Wittem, Netherlands | 25 November 1944 | Behind the Redemptorist Monastery in Wittem; Missing Air Crew Report # 10470 to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington D.C., 23 August 1945: "On 25 November 1944 the Squadron was assigned to participate in a bomber escort mission to Merseberg, Germany. After crossing the English channel, and shortly before reaching Germany, Lt Jeter reported that he was having some difficulty with his engine. After reporting this fact to the Squadron Leader, Lt. Jeter was ordered to turn back and proceed to his home base. 1st Lt. George J Rosen ASN O-793877 was assigned to escort Lt. Jeter back. A short while after turning homeward Lt. Jeter reported to his escort that his engine now appeared to be performing satisfactorily and that they would rejoin the Group. Both aircraft then turned to rejoin the remainder of the Group. Soon after turning Lt. Rosen noticed a long white stream of smoke or vapor flowing from Lt. Jeter's aircraft, which he believed to be coolant leak (Jeter's aircraft was not pulling contrails). As he was attempting to maneuver into a position to direct Lt. Jeter homeward, Lt. Rosen spotted five unidentified aircraft. Lt. Rosen turned the aircraft to establish their identity, and after determining that they were friendly aircraft realized that the two had become separated. However, he was able to make contact by radio with Lt. Jeter. Lt. Jeter reported that it was necessary for him to land and that he spotted a field which he considered satisfactory to make a landing in. This field was believed to have been in Allied held territory. No more heard from Lt. Jeter after this last report. His escort did not observe the landing." |
|
Buried |
Margraten, Netherlands | American War Cemetery, Plot F, Row 2, Grave 26 |
Revisions
Contributorfurrykids_2000
Changes
Sources
1930 census, World War II Army Enlistment Records, Fields of Honor Database, Find-a-Grave
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 10470 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list
