Captain James Newson Listing Continued

James E Newsom was awarded his pilot wings on February 8th 1944. Following graduation was posted to Alexandria L.A. and assigned a crew, eight remained together throughout the war. (Crew number was 6338). Lt. Newsom and his crew arrived in England on 28th October 1944 and were assigned to 486th Bomb Group, 834th Squadron, 8th Air Force, Based at Sudbury Suffolk. The crew were assigned a new B-17 serial 44-8528 which they named “ Flak Sack” In which they completed 35 missions. Records should that this aircraft was shot down on April 7th 1945.

The only fatality was crew member Frank Igo who I was attending to a mechanical problem in the bomb bay without a parachute, the aircraft was hit by Flak and Frank fell out and did not survive.

Lt.James Newsom was promoted to Captain, decorations awarded were Distingushed Flying Cross, Air Medal with oak leaf clusters, American Campaign Medal, ETO Medal with four bronze stars and a WWII Victory Medal.

Code: 57802