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Personal info

Full name
DUNCAN, James Lane
Date of birth
21 March 1911
Age
32
Place of birth
Christopher, Franklin County, Illinois
Hometown
Wayne County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
16065345
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
563rd Bombardment Squadron,
388th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
26 July 1943
Place of death
Holtland, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 37 45

Immediate family

Members
P. C. Duncan (father)
Elsie Duncan (mother)
Velma Duncan (sister)
Madge Duncan (sister)
Andrew Duncan (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30208
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Homesick Angel
Destination: Hannover, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Hannover-Limmer rubber plant
MACR: 3142

More information

James L. Duncan graduated from Walnut Township High School and was a welder.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Detroit, Michigan on 6 June 1942.

The aircraft was hit by flak in the target area and attacked by enemy fighters on the way back.

According to surviving crew members, T/Sgt Duncan was killed at his position.

Five crew members survived and were taken prisoner, five men were killed.

This was their fourth mission.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten,Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1920 US Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Dick Henggeler (388th Bomb Group Historian)