James R Opitz
Military ROLL OF HONOURCo-pilot, Crosson crew. 381st BG, 535th BS. Shot down 20 December 1943 in B-17 #42-31075 'The Rebel'. Mission #51 to Bremen, Germany. MACR 1722. Killed in Action (KIA). Lt Opitz was struck by 20mm fire in the neck while in the aircraft and fell onto the floor next to the top turret. Originally interred at the Cemetery of the Army Post Wesermuende-Gustemunde. Section D, Field E, Row 1, Grave 13.
Lacrosse, WI
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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: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31111020
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner; Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33249598
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-736617
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-737546
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-670025
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Rebel
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 20 December 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Died |
20 December 1943 | ||
|
Born |
La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA | ||
|
Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
Germany | 20 December 1943 |
Revisions
381st Bomb Group Memorial Association, March 1999; MACR 1722, www.381st.org/UnitHistory/Data/Roster.aspx / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 1722 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database