B17 Pilot 1st Lt.James Jarmon 463rd Bombardment Group

[LiteSpeedRC]

My grandfather was in the same wing as your dad. 463rd 772. He was a tail gunner in a plane called "Fearless Fosdick" which got shot down on June 2,1944 Was really neat to see your video!

[m9078jk3]

@LiteSpeedRC Hey awesome same squadron/group too.Your grandfather was in the 463rd BG before my father.My dad served in the months between July to Nov 1944.By the way have you been to the 463rd BG website/get the 463rd BG newsletter ? The Historian has some great Pictoral CD's about the 463rd BG that you could acquire if you don't have them already.He is working on a 4th CD too but needs more donated/scanned pictures.Take care and it's great hearing from a 463rd BG family member.

[sehr56]

Followed your link from AAF forum here. Great story! I wish he were still around. Our living history is fading way too fast and along with it a real understanding of the sacrifice these fine men made while still in their early 20s. Thanks and i salute your father.

[m9078jk3]

@sehr56 Yeah without the armyairforces [dot]com forum I would have been mostly left in the dark about fathers service other than the few clues left (books,orders,log book).I didn't even know about the group associations website either beforehand.Glad to have you here and thanks.

[JSF747]

Is he still around? My grandfather was a B-17 and B-24 Pilot passed away 3 years ago. I really miss him.

[m9078jk3]

@JSF747 No,my father passed away about 7 years ago in 2004.A few of them are still around though in their late 80's or 90's in terms of age.If my father was still alive he would turn 90 in August of this year.

Interesting and uncommon that your grandfather was both a B-17 Pilot as well as a B-24 Pilot.Perhaps if you have a video or pictures of him you could put it up at youtube and describe his service.

If you need any historical help go (register at) to a forum at armyairforces [dot]com

[JSF747]

@m9078jk3 My grandfather flew the B-24 (transport/cargo version) in India, then when his tour was over, came home and was hired by Boeing to deliver the B-17s that were going overseas.

[m9078jk3]

@JSF747 Wow very cool.I hope that you have some nice pictures from your grandfather.

[ChuckWao]

When your Dad stepped out of the plane I swear I saw him, briefly, as a young man...

Thank you for sharing this - all the best.

Lex

[m9078jk3]

@ChuckWao Thanks Lex .Dad loved the aircraft and flying but hated the war (losing friends and comrades,getting shot at etc).

[1blackbaron]

Sometime ago you commented on my Tuskegge airmen video saying they had protected your dad. Today I have seen your dad in this video, I thought of the movie "Saving Private Ryan". Your thankfulness is comforting to the all airmen who flew with the 332nd Fighter Group & the 463rd Bomber Group. Thank you.

[m9078jk3]

@1blackbaron Thank you.Sorry that I didn't answer earlier but I had to go to a funeral and also was busy with moving items from a storage facility.

[jrka852]

Interested in the B-17G, which 24/3/1945 fell near my house be glad for informace.Dík George B-17G 44-6640-463 Grup/775 sguadron

[m9078jk3]

@jrka852 Swindy over at the 463rd BG website forum would probably have that information.Also the website footnote has MACR (Missing Air Crew Reports).I think Swindy also would likely share a MACR if asked.

[sopatarchin]

My father was a bombardier in the 483rd, but I don't know which squadron. If anyone here has any info on how to find books or other resources, I'd be grateful for a reply.

[m9078jk3]

sopatarchin go to the website armyairforces [dot] com,click on forum,register there and make a post under USAAF Groups sorted by number.

Select 400-499 then select 483rd BG and make your post there.

Someone will help you.

Also 483rd [dot]com is the 483-rd's website too.

They have a book on CD

[MrFordomatic]

Each group put up from 30 to 40 planes per mission. Pilots and crewmen had to complete 50 missions before they could go home. The 50 mission requirement was not actual, because missions into Germany and a few other hot targets earned double mission credit. The average actual was 35 missions. Still no walk in the park.

[m9078jk3]

My dad coincidentally had exactly 35 sorties (50 missions).

He explained the double mission credit to me about a month before he passed away in July 2004.

[MrFordomatic]

The 15th AF had several wings. The 5th wing was all B-17 groups. There were 5 B-17 groups. The rest of the wings were B-24s. My grandfather was commanding officer of one of the B-17 groups in the 5th wing. All of the groups of the 5th wing bombed the same target. The other wings bombed different targets. They didn't fly en mass. They flew as groups in a stream, several miles apart.

[m9078jk3]

That's very cool.

But there were 6 groups in the 5th Wing

2,97,99,301,463,483

Which Bombardment Group was your grandfather the C.O.?

There were combat missions that some of the other BG's in the same wing went to other targets, some assigned on and some other cases were alternative targets selected because of weather conditions etc.

[MrFordomatic]

You are correct, there were 6 groups. I had a memory hic-up. I was not aware there were different targets for the 5th wing groups. Perhaps a rare occurance? Maybe if a bridge needed bombing more than 1 group was not necessary.  My grandfather was CO of the 99th BG.

[m9078jk3]

You would enjoy the armyairforce [dot] com forums if you haven't been there yet..

Jim Peters one of the forum moderators was in the 99th BG a very knowledgeable and sharp guy especially at his age.

Also a still living 99th BG Pilot (Jules H) is at the forum as well.

[aqaskor]

463rd, 774 Squadron - Roland Greene.

Flew about 15 missions with the Pysonya as co-pilot then finished the next 35 missions as a pilot of a second crew [trying to find out who]. The rest of the Pysonya crew was shot down on its 50th mission in early July as Dad was rotating home.

[m9078jk3]

I think that Joel could answer that question at the 463rd website 463rd {dot } org forum (bulletin board).

Be sure to go there and sign up.

Thanks for visiting and viewing the video of my dad.

[ssirut18B]

Golfpro- this shows your lack of knowledge regarding WWII history. The German were the first to hit the civilian population of England and not just military targets under orders from Hitler. He wanted to hurt the morale of civilians. The US went after strategic targets- the problem was Hitler often placed vital targets in populated areas believing the US would not bomb them and at first they did not. The US at times purposely avoided certain targets because of their location. Do some reading

[ssirut18B]

My dad was a bombardier with the 483rd/815 Sq out of Italy. I am very proud of my father's service as I am sure you are of your father. Thank God for the greatest generation

[ssirut18B]

My Dad was a bombardier in the 15th AAF, 483rd/815 Sq out of Italy. I am proud of my father as I sure you are of yours. Thank God for the greatest generation

[m9078jk3]

Awesome they might possibly have even been on the same missions in the 5th Bombardment Wing,My father and mother had 2 friends in the 483rd/817th Sq William Jeffs (Pilot) and Leslie Ling (Navigator in Jeff's crew) crew number 2708.

[fambothexterminator]

May God bless you, Jim (and all those who flew and didn't make it back), for your service; I don't have a single family member served in any war; but we thank you for your part in help stopping WW II.

[m9078jk3]

Thanks for your kind comment.

[2bn442RCT]

Excellent upload EASY 5/5 Stars

[m9078jk3]

Thanks for viewing.I really liked your collection of videos.

[m9078jk3]

My fathers combat missions as an Aircraft Commanding Pilot only comprised of either military targets or industrial targets.He was never on a combat mission to bomb population centers (civilians).My dad didn't like war either but had a choice to either volunteer or be forcibly drafted into service (He volunteered).He would have preferred to work his civilian job at that time as a union motion picture machine operator.

The war interrupted and took many lives.

Blame Adolf Hitler for starting it

[401stbg]

Beautiful video...it's always sheer joy to see one of these planes flying! And a big salute to your father. These men were all heroes at a time when they were needed!

[m9078jk3]

Thanks for visiting.I was so lucky to have a great dad.

I checked out your custom PC B-17 simulator with the a2asimulations WOP II B-17 add on for Microsoft Flight Simulator X.

You did a great job.

It's a lot better than what I have currently.

[stuhodes]

Hey Great! I was in the 463rd too. 772 Bomb Squadron. Pilot. Flew only 7 missions before VE Day. I had a chance to go up in a B-17 few years ago, but turned it down because they said I would not be allowed to take the controls even for a minute! That would have hurt. It was a great piece of airplane. Thanks for your video.

[m9078jk3]

Really that's wonderful to have found you here.Did you get the 772nd Bomb Squadron The Men The Memories book back in 1997?

Be sure to visit the 463rd BG website as well.

Do you get the 463rd BG newsletter and have you gone to the 463rd BG's reunions?

[tuskegee332airman]

wow. what a beautiful piece of machinery.your dad's cool, what an incredible sense of pride and patriotism you must have knowing your dad wagered his life to help save the world.

he must be very proud as well.fighting for freedom is an honor & privelege that few men are able to be a part of. please thank him for me and let him know that we appreciate his sacrifice for our freedoms

[m9078jk3]

Thanks tuskegee332airman for your kind comment.

I'm sure that my dad was very proud to have you guys as escort on those difficult missions.

[tuskegee332airman]

thanx for helping save the world. i hope you know that america and the world hasnt forgotten your bravery. it means a lot.

[stuhodes]

Honored to get a message from the Tuskegee Airmen. When I saw their red nosed Thunderbolts about 5,000 feet above us, I knew we were going to be okay. Best pilots of WW II. Forever grateful!

[100thbombgroup]

Thanks for posting and for all the information. very interesting.

I've just moved to Italy from the UK,I am very interested in the USAAF, 8th AAF and I'm now trying to find out as much I can about the 15th AAF.

Thanks for sharing your history.

Thank you to your father for what he did.

Regards

Brett

[m9078jk3]

Thanks for the kind comment.I put this video up here to help save my father's history and to share it with those interested.

The 463rd BG Historian helped me out a lot and he was the one who created the mission log document from my fathers flight log book which only showed the last 3 digits of the B-17's my dad was on.He discovered more of the serial numbers than I had and produced this document for me.My brother has company offices in the U.K. and he was just over there last month.

[caseyjones2222]

Hey, I watched the video after I messaged you.

This is GREAT history recorded. Our Dads problably flew on a lot of raids together. They were and will always be the great generation!

[m9078jk3]

Did you see the video B17 Tailgunner on youtube about Henry Burlew who was in the 483rd BG.I have it in my favorites folder too.William Jeffs(Pilot) in the 483rd BG 817th BS was the best man at my parents wedding in 1944.Also my mom knew Leslie Ling(Navigator) who was in Jeff's crew.

[m9078jk3]

N8229Y thank you very much for your kind comment.

Our family still misses him very much.

It's one of the few videos that I have of him that has his voice in it.

[N8229Y]

Thanks for sharing--this is a great video. I appreciate what your father did, and am sorry for his passing.