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James
Arthur
Hungerpiller
, Jr.
MIA (WWII) KIA
December 19, 1918

–

November 2, 1943

Born:

Augusta

, 

Georgia

Home:

Augusta

, 

Georgia

Buried: 

Augusta

, 

Georgia

Cemetery:

Westover Memorial Park (Cenotaph)

All five members of the B-25 bomber piloted by James Hungerpiller were lost in a bombing mission against Japanese shipping in November 1943, each of the five members of the crew were posthumously awarded Silver Stars. Later, when wreckage of their bomber was found, the five airmen were interned together at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    71st Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    38th Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 2, 1943
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 125 (March 8, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) James Arthur Hungerpiller, Jr. (ASN: 0-792543), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber of the 71st Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations during a bombing mission against Rabaul, New Britain, on 2 November 1943. First Lieutenant Hungerpiller dove his bomber at a Japanese cruiser, after blasting an enemy destroyer out of the water. His plane crashed just short of the target. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Hungerpiller, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.