James Kenneth Laubach
Military
Object Number - UPL 42338 - 2nd Lt James Kenneth Laubach 305th BG
Assigned 368BS, 306BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Oranienburg in B-17 43-38803; mid air collision, crashed Wilsnack, Germany 10-Apr-45 Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 13877.
Awards: PH.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37582987
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14174338
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16188542
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31094883
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32864923
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner / Spot Jammer
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 10 April 1945
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Berwick, Pennsylvania | 26 May 1917 | Son of Freas and Atta M [Smith] Laubach. |
|
Enlisted |
Wilkes Barre, PA | 31 January 1943 | Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania |
|
Died |
Wilsnack, Germany | 10 April 1945 | Failed to Return (FTR) Oranienburg in B-17 43-38803; mid air collision, crashed Wilsnack, Germany 10-Apr-45 KIA MACR 13877 |
|
Buried |
Elan Memorial Park, Lime Ridge, Columbia County, PA | 25 July 1950 | Re-Interred Chapel Lawn Elan Memorial Park Lime Ridge, Columbia County, Pennsylvania |
|
Based |
Thurleigh | 10 April 1945 | Assigned 368BS, 306BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 13877
