During World War II, James Varnell became a U.S. Army Air Forces TRIPLE ACE, credited with shooting down 17 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Returning to the United States, he was assigned as a flight instructor at Pinellas Army Air Field in Florida, and was killed in an air accident when his P-51 crashed into a field on April 9, 1945.
Sponsored by:
James
Sullins
Varnell
Jr.
DNB (1945)
1921-12-09
–
1945-04-09
Born:
Camp Benning
,
Georgia
Home:
Charleston
,
Tennessee
Buried:
Calhoun
,
Tennessee
Cemetery:
Calhoun Community Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
2d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
52d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 52 (October 31, 1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) James Sullins Varnell, Jr. (ASN: 0-798378), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, in 1943 and 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Varnell, 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
2d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
52d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) James Sullins Varnell, Jr. (ASN: 0-798378), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
2d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
52d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) James Sullins Varnell, Jr. (ASN: 0-798378), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
2d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
52d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) James Sullins Varnell, Jr. (ASN: 0-798378), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
2d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
52d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2341 (August 6, 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 Sullins Varnell, Jr. (ASN: 0-798378), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, in 1943 and 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Varnell, 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.