321stBG,446thBS, T/Sgt. James "Raymond" Orechea, Radio/Gunner, KIA 15 May '44

James "Raymond" Orechia was a Radio-Gunner in the U.S. Army Air Force; 12th Air Force; 57th Bombardment Wing; 321st Bombardment Group, 446th Winged Group Squadron; aboard B-25 Mitchell Aircraft, stationed in the MTO=Mediterranean Theater of Operations, during World War Two.
On 24 January 1944, James R. Orechia was promoted from Corporal to Technical Sergeant.
In April 1944 James R. Orechia was Awarded the "Air Medal"
In April, 1944 the 321st Bombardment Group transferred to its new base at Solenzara, Corsica from its previous base at Vincenzo Airfield near Naples, Italy.
In April 1944 James R. Orechia went to the Isle of Capri Rest Camp for approximately 10 days & Returned on 25 April 1944. James R. (Raymond) Orechia flew 57 "known" missions, 17 with B-25 * Lil Butch "" Pilot Jack Fitzgerald/ Father of 57th Bomb Wing Historical Researcher John T Fitzgerald. 10 with 2Lt Harold Ray Brellenthin, but about 25 with 1Lt George Walsh. Many of the 25, included the 17 with 2Lt Jack Fitzgerald.

- U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946

Name: James R R Orechia
Birth Year: 1920
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Massachusetts
State: Rhode Island
County or City: Providence
Enlistment Date: 6 Jun 1942
Enlistment State: Massachusetts
Enlistment City: Boston

321st Bomb Group Histories have been made available through the dedicated efforts of the 321st BG History Team; John Fitzgerald (446th BS Jack Fitzgerald) Barbara Ennis Connolly, Historian (447th BS Edward C Ennis) and Patti Johnson (446th BS James Raymond Orechia/KIA)

John Fitzgerald does magic with computer skills and types like the wind… Barbi Ennis Connolly, 321st BG Historian speaks with the Vets and families and gathers the photo’s and info… Patti Johnson is our “needle in the haystack gal”… genealogy, ancestry and etc.

James R Orechia