James F Black

Cpl. James F Black was a GUNNER in a B-25 Mitchell Medium Bomber, in the 310th Bomb Group, the 428th Bomb Squadron and was KIA / Shot-down 7 Sept. 1943.

Friday, 12 March 1943

428th BS Mission Summary: (Ops Order ---/mission ---) Group Mission # 60: The following day the outfit had a battle on their hands. The mission was the same as usual--another sea search. The formation sighted eleven vessels consisting of Siebel Ferries and barges. As before there were two flights, upper and lower. Then ran into intense, accurate light flak and machine gun fire at the target. As the lower flight was on its bomb run, bombs from the higher element were seen to drop among the vessels and black smoke came up from two of them. The lower flight then tore into the vessels, dropping bombs and finishing what had been started by the first flight.It was hard to determine the exact damage done, as the weather was bad; however, an observer, Flight Lieutenant Dunn, R.A.F., was of the opinion that a least six vessels were sunk. A two-engine enemy aircraft, seen in the distance, was attacked by escort and seen to go down into the sea. Lt. Stack received a nasty shoulder wound from flak.

A/C No. 3 aircraft unidentified - may be “Bad Seed”

P Brock, James C., 1Lt

CP Blaauw, Harold A., 1Lt

N None

B Spencer, Ronald L., S/Sgt

E None

R Marrs, Horace S., S/Sgt

G Black, James F., Cpl

   James was a friend of Bombardier Lt. Ronald Spencer, and some pictures and text included in the records kept for Ronald.  Recordsand photo  shared by Ronald's Nephew, Jerry Spencer.

   Barbi Ennis Connolly, Historical Researcher with the 57th Bomb Wing History Team of John T Fitzgerald, Patti Johnson and Barbi Connolly.

James;  James F. Black    Birth: Sep. 29, 1913    Death: Sep. 7, 1943   Burial: Byrneville Methodist Church Cemetery
Byrneville, Escambia County, Florida, USA

Cpl. James F. Black was with the U. S. Army Air Force, 12th Air Force, 57th Bombardment Wing, 310th Bombardment Group, 428th Bombardment Squadron, aboard B-25 Mitchell Medium Bomber Aircraft, stationed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO), during WW II. Cpl. Black was Killed In Action on 07 September 1943 during a bombing mission near Tunisia, North Africa. He is also Memorialized at: North Africa American Cemetery Location: Carthage, Tunisia Awards: Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart. NEVER FORGET His Service & Sacrifice.
- Patti Johnson   - Added: Jun. 17, 2010
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World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
Name: James F Black   Inducted From: Texas   Rank: Corporal   Combat Organization: Bomber Squadron 310th Bomber Group   Death Date: 7 Sep 1943   Monument: North Africa    Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal; Air Medal; Additional Army Awards
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CPL James F. Black ID: 18062665   Branch of Service: U.S. Army  Hometown: Harris County, TX   Status: KIA
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James F. Black ID: 18062665   Entered the Service From: Texas   Rank:Corporal    Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 428th Bomber Squadron, 310th Bomber Group, Medium   Died: Tuesday, September 07, 1943   Memorialized at: North Africa   American Cemetery   Location: Carthage, Tunisia    Awards: Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
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U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 18062665   NAME; BLACK  JAMES  F.   RESIDENCE: STATE;  TEXAS  RESIDENCE: COUNTY;  HARRIS    PLACE OF ENLISTMENT;  HOUSTON TEXAS  DATE OF ENLISTMENT  02 March, 1942
GRADE: PVT# Private    BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION BI# Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA 
SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL  Civil Life   NATIVITY   ALABAMA  YEAR OF BIRTH ;  1913    RACE AND CITIZENSHIP  White, citizen  EDUCATION   1 year of high school  CIVILIAN OCCUPATION  Semiskilled routemen
MARITAL STATUS   Single, without dependents  COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 6 Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of the United States under Army Regulations 605-10