James William Browning

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-21808.jpeg UPL 21808 Capt. Jim Browning in the cockpit of his P-51

Object Number - UPL 21808 - Capt. Jim Browning in the cockpit of his P-51

Jim Browning joined the Army Air Corps in Feb-42 and was given his wings on August 17, 1943. He joined the 363rd Fighter Squadron while it was still training in Nevada. He was assigned to Capt. ‘Bud’ Anderson’s flight and stayed with it during training and combat. Later Browning became a flight leader himself and shot down 7 enemy planes [5 x Me109, 0.5 x Fw190*, 1.5 x Me410].

Jim named his first P-51 ‘Gentleman Jim’ which befitted his character very well. He was a fun loving guy with a bit of devilishness about him. He was very determined which helped him gain excellent flying skills. Bud Anderson, speaking of Jim, said, “He could always be depended upon to be there when you needed him. We were great friends.”

After Browning’s first tour ended in August 1944 he went home for a short while and then returned to the 357th in November for a second tour. Sadly on February 9, 1945, Jim Browning was reported Missing in Action after he failed to return after an escort mission. Apparently after being bounced by Me-262 jet fighters Browning was involved in a mid air collision and his plane crashed with him in it.

Browning is labelled as one of the heroes of the 357th Fighter Group.



* His Fw190 shared claim, a demonstration of his 'Gentleman credentials' when he allowed the pilot to bale out of the stricken A/C.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Captain Clarence E. Jr. "Bud" Anderson, ace of the 357th Fighter Group, sits on the wing of his P-51 Mustang (B6-S, serial number 43-12315) nicknamed "Old Crow". Image signed on reverse by Anderson. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Major C E Anderson ace 357 FG. A/c name 'Old Crow'.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron Headquarters (357th Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-730324
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Reluctant Rebel Gentleman Jim
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Gentleman Jim Marjie's Man
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Junior Miss
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Leiston airfield looking south, the control tower and technical site are to the right, 16 October 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/929. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Theberton/Saxmundham

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Syracuse, KS, USA 21 October 1917

Enlisted

Fort Riley, KS 66442, USA 31 March 1942 Fort Riley KS, USA

Other

Crashed

Ajo, AZ 85321, USA 13 February 1943 Baled Out due to Mid Air Collision 15 Miles West Ajo, AZ Cat 5 damage 2Lt James W Browning, 13-Feb-43. AT-6B 41-17238 - 944 SEFTS

Based

Leiston 18 March 1943 - 28 August 1944 Assigned to 363FS, 357FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Wings and commissioned

Tonopah, NV 89049, USA 17 August 1943 Received wings on 17-Aug-43. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant.

Other

Crashed

Oroville, CA, USA 25 August 1943 Landing Accident Oroville, CA Cat 3 damage Lt James W Browning, 25-Aug-43. P-39D 41-28327 - 363FS 357FG

Other

Crashed

Leiston IP16, UK 5 February 1944 Landing Accident Leiston/Sta 373 Cat 3 damage 1Lt James W Browning, 5-Feb-44. P-51B 43-6566 - 363FS 357FG 373 8AF

Other

E/A Destroyed

Germany 24 April 1944 E/A destroyed Germany. 24-Apr-44.

Other

Promotion

Leiston IP16, UK 7 May 1944 Promoted to Captain.

Other

E/A Destroyed

Strasbourg, France 27 May 1944 Me-109 destroyed Strasbourg. 27-May-44.

Other

E/A Destroyed

Germany 30 May 1944 E/A destroyed Germany. 30-May-44.

Other

E/A Destroyed [2]

Germany 29 June 1944 Two E/A destroyed Germany. 29-Jun-44.

Other

End Tour Duty (ETD)

England, UK 28 August 1944 Ended Tour Duty (ETD).

Other

E/A Destroyed

Brandenburg, Germany 5 December 1944 Me-109 destroyed, 25 miles north of Brandenburg. 5-Dec-45.

Other

E/A Destroyed [3]

North of Berlin, Germany 14 January 1945 3 x Me-109 claimed destroyed, 1 x Me109 claimed damaged. North of Berlin. 14-Jan-45.

Died

Killed in action

20 km SW Limburg, Germany 9 February 1945 Failed to Return (FTR) escort mission to Bohlen. Mid air collision with Me-262 crashed 20 km SW Limburg, Germany KIA. MACR 12172.

Buried

Tablets of the missing Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial

Based

Leiston 9 February 1945 Returned to 363FS, 357FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Promotion

Leiston IP16, UK Promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

Date
ContributorWD-C Mustang
Changes
Date
ContributorWD-C Mustang
Changes
Date
ContributorWD-C Mustang
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 12172 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

James William Browning: Gallery (4 items)