James M Bugbee

 Jim Bugbee was an energetic and Patriotic young man.  Barely 2 weeks  after his 18th Birthday, he joined the Canadian Army.  Although his stay was short (63 days) he was issued a WW I Great-Coat and a WW I water-cooled machine gun.   He returned to the states and got a job for 13 cents an hour.   However, one day he met a Go-Get-'em Pilot Instructor, who talked him into a "free-demo" (his free 30 minute demo was a savings of 10 cents a minute)   He flew back down out of the sky, hopelessly in love with flying forever.   He then got a job as a Hod-carrier, HARD work but a lot more money, and he attained his private pilot's license.  
        Still struggling with his great desire to serve (and having his pilots license) he interviewed in NY by the Clayton Knight Committee, (made up of WW I US Military Pilots) and was accepted imm. and took a bus to Canada.    He joined the RCAF the next day (1941).   Upon arriving at Ottawa Recruiting station, (10 to 12 American Cadets) .....They were told it would be a 100 miles by train . . . WOOPS !  1200 miles by train.   He trained in a Tiger Moth and a twin Cessna.  His summer uniform, as a Pre-Pilot-Cadet (Air craftsman 2nd class) . . . And as a full-fledged Cadet, I was a leading Airman.  I think we were called GADGETS !  We wore embroidered propellers and a USA patch on our shoulder.
 WAR was declared and we were given the option of returning, the US Gov. then ransomed-back their Canadian-Trained Pilots .  Jim choose the AAC, they were sworn in up there, given the physical on the train, and 10 days to get to Randolph Field, Texas.  They only needed 2 weeks to graduate, plus 6 weeks of training.    4 Aug. 1942, he then reported to Columbia, S.C . and became the 5th or 6th person in the new 447th BS, that was  [still on paper]  conceived on 1 Aug. '42 under Lt. Heinlein.  On 8 Sept. '42 Sampson was running the show, we called him the "Old Man" a popular term for the CO.   Doc Manley was "really" old..... 35, I think.
      The CO Ray Sampson and Jim Bugbee flew over the Atlantic in the Knapp Flight in the #41-30000 (The Ruff Stuff, Dan McDuff's Ship) with the New-Top-Secret Airborne RADAR.  Bugbee said his RADAR guy saw Ascension Island quite a ways out.
     "Over-There" Jim Bugbee and Bob Spikes shared the "Deathwind" #42-53371. . .in the Fall '43 when the new ship "Dumbo" #42-32498 arrived, (Quote) "We flipped a coin !  The Dumbo became my new ship because I lost the coin-toss with Bob Spikes"  The fate of a 1/4 million dollar B-25 over a coin-toss.  Bugbee and Spikes were promoted to 1st Lt on the same day.
       When the longed for day came when they (Bugbee and Spikes) reached their 50th Mission, they were asked by the CO, Ray Sampson, to stay and lead the new pilot-replacements . . . after only a short thought, Jim Bugbee and Bob Spikes said YES !  They were promoted to Captain and each led the new pilots into Combat for 15 Missions more.
        On a personal note, in a complete gesture of trust, Jim was the very first to send me, Barbi Ennis Connolly, all of his pictures to scan,  catalogue and return..  Through mail, email and conversations, I have learned the stories about his War experience.   This is an outstanding man !  It has been my pleasure.  While he did not minimize the danger of battle in WW II, he did find the necessity of it  worth the price that was paid.  (QUOTE) "War is basically stupid and counter-productive.  It would be avoidable IF Leaders and Politicians acted appropriately and in time.  Soldiers don't start wars, they hate it !  As well as all Moms and mature Dads".  Jim Bugbee
       My Father, 447th BS Edward Ennis flew with both Bugbee and Spikes, as well as many others because of his training in the Top-Secret Airborne RADAR.  While questionable in the beginning, it certainly was a great start, and an advancement that helped win the War.        Princessbarbi
If information is needed, or you have information to provide for the 447thBS, Please email PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com  

  B-25 Mitchell Medium Bomber Pilot, Capt James M Bugbee was in the original Cadre' of the 321st Bomb Group as it was formed, he walked in with several other Pilots.... all of whom were "first" and the 321st Bomb Group was born.  Before very long, the Pilots were assigned to Squadrons and Jim would go with the 447th Bomb Squad.   Soon men were being assigned from all over and for all tasks and qualifications.  Jim would become good friends with Bob Spikes, Frank McGowan, Albert Duke, Hamilton and Wilton Brinkley and many others and receive their trainer-B-25's and Crews at Columbia, SC. to learn to be a Team and learn the tactics of War as well as the handling of the very versitle B-25 Mitchell.  (More of the story to come).

Barbi Ennis Connolly, 321st Bomb Group Historian (319th BG Historian) and 57th Bomb Wing Historical Researcher.  PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com

Ole' Capt. Jim. . .

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan... No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people will through their righteous might win through to absolute victory... With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounded determination of our people-we will gain the inevitable triumph-so help us God. I, therefore, ask that the Congress declare that since the dastardly and unprovoked attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
-- President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dec. 8, 1941, speech asking Congress to declare war on Japan.  
 
We are proud that one of "our own", 321st Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Squad, "Olde' Capt. Jim" and Beth Bugbee (Original Gen Knapp Flight Over) have been and continue to be the Docents at the Ford Island Museum, about 8 months of the year.   Capt Jim says it is an Honor which they enjoy, he personally has made several highly successful seminar/presentations for them.... and when not at *work*, they enjoy some "Fun in the Sun and Sand in the Shorts"     :)
 
    I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, sweat...you ask,
what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with
all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war
against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable
catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I
can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs - Victory in
spite of all terrors - Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for
without victory there is no survival."
- Winston Churchill

Pearl Harbor Day, http://http://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/  Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on historic Ford Island occupies World War II-era hangars that still bear the scars of our nation's first aviation ...
Ford Island; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Pearl_Harbor_aerial.jpg  
Aerial view of Pearl Harbor with Ford Island in the middle. 

Barbi Ennis Connolly, 319th and 321st Bomb Group Historian, 57th Bomb Wing Historical Researcher PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com