Jim T. McCloy was the son of William Melvin McCloy of Arkansas and Minnie Thompson of Tennessee. Melvin and Minnie married on 1/7/1907 in Davidson, Tennessee, and relocated to McGehee, Desha County, Arkansas, soon afterwards. Jim received his public school education in McGehee. Melvin died in 1930 and Minnie remarried a man named A. E. Smith. Minnie and her new husband would later relocate to Orlando, Florida.
Jim joined the Army Air Corps prior to the beginning of World War II. After he completed his basic training and Service Schools, he reported to Gowen Field, Idaho, and then to Wendover Field, Utah, between April- August 1942. While at Wendover, his squadron was activated, the 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group (Heavy). He was assigned to the crew of First Lieutenant Richard B. Adams, who had been assigned in April from the 34th Bomb Group. On 7/28/1942 Brigadier General Robert Olds, Commanding General, 2nd Air Force, was at Wendover Field for inspection. While he was there, all gunners to include Jim, were promoted to Staff Sergeant.
The group moved east in preparation for deployment overseas to England. After several layovers at various bases, the air crews flew to Newfoundland and then to Prestwick, Scotland. On 9/11/1942, they arrived at Royal Air Force (RAF) base Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England (the ground crews had arrived on 9/6/1942). They were now known as the 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group(Heavy), 8th Air Force "The Mighty Eighth", 1st Bombardment Division under the command of General Ira Eaker.
Jim's first combat mission was on 10/9/1942 but shortly after take-off Captain Adams (recently promoted) turned the plane around and returned to base due to a malfunction in one of the planes machine guns. Due to poor weather, subsequent missions were scrubbed until 11/7/1942 when the Adam's crew dropped their first bombs over Brest, France. All bombers returned safely to England.
On 11/8/1942, Jim and his crew mates flew out of England for a mission over Lille, France, with 19 other B-17 bombers of the 306th Group bombers. They were flying a B-17 with the Sn# Sn# 41-24472. After the initial run over the target, the 369th Squadron commander, flying in the lead ship, turned the five 369th Bomb Squadron ships back for a second fly over the target as they had not, for some reason, released their bombs on the first trip. During the next 30 minutes, the Adam's crews' bomber was damaged by FLAK and then approximately 30 Focke-Wulf 190 German fighters made around 200 attacks on the 369th planes. The Adam's crew plane, Jim's plane, was shot out of the sky during the first run of these fighter attacks and was seen by the crews in the other bombers to be headed to the ground spinning out of control.
Reportedly, the Major commanding the squadron at the time of Jim's death and who ordered the bombers to do a second fly-over the target, was relieved a month later and given a desk job in Group Operations.
For more information on this crash, please refer to Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) #16133. As of this writing, I do not have a copy of the MACR report to verify the crew and what their status was after being shot down. This is all I have at this time:
Pilot Capt. Richard D. Adams - POW
Co-Pilot ?
Navigator Lt. John A. Latchford, Jr. - POW
S/Sgt Peter Greyno, Sn #13038360 - KIA
S/Sgt Frank M. Zech, Sn #35300780 - KIA
S/Sgt John S. Saunders, Sn #16044132 - ?
S/Sgt Anthony J. Lacek, Sn# 32236430 - KIA
S/Sgt Jim T. McCloy, Sn# 37069811 - KIA
Staff Sergeant Jim T. McCloy, Sn#37069811, earned the following badges/decorations for his service during World War II:
- Army Air Corps Aerial Gunner's Wings
- Purple Heart Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal and bronze battle/campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
Jim's brother, Sam McCloy also served during World War II with the United States Navy as a Sea Bee.
**NOTE - Jim's grave is respectfully cared for by the Marco Beyleveld family that lives near the Margraten cemetery. We are forever in their debt for the honored care they give Jim's memory.
Jim joined the Army Air Corps prior to the beginning of World War II. After he completed his basic training and Service Schools, he reported to Gowen Field, Idaho, and then to Wendover Field, Utah, between April- August 1942. While at Wendover, his squadron was activated, the 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group (Heavy). He was assigned to the crew of First Lieutenant Richard B. Adams, who had been assigned in April from the 34th Bomb Group. On 7/28/1942 Brigadier General Robert Olds, Commanding General, 2nd Air Force, was at Wendover Field for inspection. While he was there, all gunners to include Jim, were promoted to Staff Sergeant.
The group moved east in preparation for deployment overseas to England. After several layovers at various bases, the air crews flew to Newfoundland and then to Prestwick, Scotland. On 9/11/1942, they arrived at Royal Air Force (RAF) base Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England (the ground crews had arrived on 9/6/1942). They were now known as the 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group(Heavy), 8th Air Force "The Mighty Eighth", 1st Bombardment Division under the command of General Ira Eaker.
Jim's first combat mission was on 10/9/1942 but shortly after take-off Captain Adams (recently promoted) turned the plane around and returned to base due to a malfunction in one of the planes machine guns. Due to poor weather, subsequent missions were scrubbed until 11/7/1942 when the Adam's crew dropped their first bombs over Brest, France. All bombers returned safely to England.
On 11/8/1942, Jim and his crew mates flew out of England for a mission over Lille, France, with 19 other B-17 bombers of the 306th Group bombers. They were flying a B-17 with the Sn# Sn# 41-24472. After the initial run over the target, the 369th Squadron commander, flying in the lead ship, turned the five 369th Bomb Squadron ships back for a second fly over the target as they had not, for some reason, released their bombs on the first trip. During the next 30 minutes, the Adam's crews' bomber was damaged by FLAK and then approximately 30 Focke-Wulf 190 German fighters made around 200 attacks on the 369th planes. The Adam's crew plane, Jim's plane, was shot out of the sky during the first run of these fighter attacks and was seen by the crews in the other bombers to be headed to the ground spinning out of control.
Reportedly, the Major commanding the squadron at the time of Jim's death and who ordered the bombers to do a second fly-over the target, was relieved a month later and given a desk job in Group Operations.
For more information on this crash, please refer to Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) #16133. As of this writing, I do not have a copy of the MACR report to verify the crew and what their status was after being shot down. This is all I have at this time:
Pilot Capt. Richard D. Adams - POW
Co-Pilot ?
Navigator Lt. John A. Latchford, Jr. - POW
S/Sgt Peter Greyno, Sn #13038360 - KIA
S/Sgt Frank M. Zech, Sn #35300780 - KIA
S/Sgt John S. Saunders, Sn #16044132 - ?
S/Sgt Anthony J. Lacek, Sn# 32236430 - KIA
S/Sgt Jim T. McCloy, Sn# 37069811 - KIA
Staff Sergeant Jim T. McCloy, Sn#37069811, earned the following badges/decorations for his service during World War II:
- Army Air Corps Aerial Gunner's Wings
- Purple Heart Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal and bronze battle/campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
Jim's brother, Sam McCloy also served during World War II with the United States Navy as a Sea Bee.
**NOTE - Jim's grave is respectfully cared for by the Marco Beyleveld family that lives near the Margraten cemetery. We are forever in their debt for the honored care they give Jim's memory.
Jim T. McCloy was the son of William Melvin McCloy of Arkansas and Minnie Thompson of Tennessee. Melvin and Minnie married on 1/7/1907 in Davidson, Tennessee, and relocated to McGehee, Desha County, Arkansas, soon afterwards. Jim received his public school education in McGehee. Melvin died in 1930 and Minnie remarried a man named A. E. Smith. Minnie and her new husband would later relocate to Orlando, Florida.
Jim joined the Army Air Corps prior to the beginning of World War II. After he completed his basic training and Service Schools, he reported to Gowen Field, Idaho, and then to Wendover Field, Utah, between April- August 1942. While at Wendover, his squadron was activated, the 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group (Heavy). He was assigned to the crew of First Lieutenant Richard B. Adams, who had been assigned in April from the 34th Bomb Group. On 7/28/1942 Brigadier General Robert Olds, Commanding General, 2nd Air Force, was at Wendover Field for inspection. While he was there, all gunners to include Jim, were promoted to Staff Sergeant.
The group moved east in preparation for deployment overseas to England. After several layovers at various bases, the air crews flew to Newfoundland and then to Prestwick, Scotland. On 9/11/1942, they arrived at Royal Air Force (RAF) base Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England (the ground crews had arrived on 9/6/1942). They were now known as the 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group(Heavy), 8th Air Force "The Mighty Eighth", 1st Bombardment Division under the command of General Ira Eaker.
Jim's first combat mission was on 10/9/1942 but shortly after take-off Captain Adams (recently promoted) turned the plane around and returned to base due to a malfunction in one of the planes machine guns. Due to poor weather, subsequent missions were scrubbed until 11/7/1942 when the Adam's crew dropped their first bombs over Brest, France. All bombers returned safely to England.
On 11/8/1942, Jim and his crew mates flew out of England for a mission over Lille, France, with 19 other B-17 bombers of the 306th Group bombers. They were flying a B-17 with the Sn# Sn# 41-24472. After the initial run over the target, the 369th Squadron commander, flying in the lead ship, turned the five 369th Bomb Squadron ships back for a second fly over the target as they had not, for some reason, released their bombs on the first trip. During the next 30 minutes, the Adam's crews' bomber was damaged by FLAK and then approximately 30 Focke-Wulf 190 German fighters made around 200 attacks on the 369th planes. The Adam's crew plane, Jim's plane, was shot out of the sky during the first run of these fighter attacks and was seen by the crews in the other bombers to be headed to the ground spinning out of control.
Reportedly, the Major commanding the squadron at the time of Jim's death and who ordered the bombers to do a second fly-over the target, was relieved a month later and given a desk job in Group Operations.
For more information on this crash, please refer to Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) #16133. As of this writing, I do not have a copy of the MACR report to verify the crew and what their status was after being shot down. This is all I have at this time:
Pilot Capt. Richard D. Adams - POW
Co-Pilot ?
Navigator Lt. John A. Latchford, Jr. - POW
S/Sgt Peter Greyno, Sn #13038360 - KIA
S/Sgt Frank M. Zech, Sn #35300780 - KIA
S/Sgt John S. Saunders, Sn #16044132 - ?
S/Sgt Anthony J. Lacek, Sn# 32236430 - KIA
S/Sgt Jim T. McCloy, Sn# 37069811 - KIA
Staff Sergeant Jim T. McCloy, Sn#37069811, earned the following badges/decorations for his service during World War II:
- Army Air Corps Aerial Gunner's Wings
- Purple Heart Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal and bronze battle/campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
Jim's brother, Sam McCloy also served during World War II with the United States Navy as a Sea Bee.
**NOTE - Jim's grave is respectfully cared for by the Marco Beyleveld family that lives near the Margraten cemetery. We are forever in their debt for the honored care they give Jim's memory.
Jim joined the Army Air Corps prior to the beginning of World War II. After he completed his basic training and Service Schools, he reported to Gowen Field, Idaho, and then to Wendover Field, Utah, between April- August 1942. While at Wendover, his squadron was activated, the 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group (Heavy). He was assigned to the crew of First Lieutenant Richard B. Adams, who had been assigned in April from the 34th Bomb Group. On 7/28/1942 Brigadier General Robert Olds, Commanding General, 2nd Air Force, was at Wendover Field for inspection. While he was there, all gunners to include Jim, were promoted to Staff Sergeant.
The group moved east in preparation for deployment overseas to England. After several layovers at various bases, the air crews flew to Newfoundland and then to Prestwick, Scotland. On 9/11/1942, they arrived at Royal Air Force (RAF) base Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England (the ground crews had arrived on 9/6/1942). They were now known as the 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group(Heavy), 8th Air Force "The Mighty Eighth", 1st Bombardment Division under the command of General Ira Eaker.
Jim's first combat mission was on 10/9/1942 but shortly after take-off Captain Adams (recently promoted) turned the plane around and returned to base due to a malfunction in one of the planes machine guns. Due to poor weather, subsequent missions were scrubbed until 11/7/1942 when the Adam's crew dropped their first bombs over Brest, France. All bombers returned safely to England.
On 11/8/1942, Jim and his crew mates flew out of England for a mission over Lille, France, with 19 other B-17 bombers of the 306th Group bombers. They were flying a B-17 with the Sn# Sn# 41-24472. After the initial run over the target, the 369th Squadron commander, flying in the lead ship, turned the five 369th Bomb Squadron ships back for a second fly over the target as they had not, for some reason, released their bombs on the first trip. During the next 30 minutes, the Adam's crews' bomber was damaged by FLAK and then approximately 30 Focke-Wulf 190 German fighters made around 200 attacks on the 369th planes. The Adam's crew plane, Jim's plane, was shot out of the sky during the first run of these fighter attacks and was seen by the crews in the other bombers to be headed to the ground spinning out of control.
Reportedly, the Major commanding the squadron at the time of Jim's death and who ordered the bombers to do a second fly-over the target, was relieved a month later and given a desk job in Group Operations.
For more information on this crash, please refer to Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) #16133. As of this writing, I do not have a copy of the MACR report to verify the crew and what their status was after being shot down. This is all I have at this time:
Pilot Capt. Richard D. Adams - POW
Co-Pilot ?
Navigator Lt. John A. Latchford, Jr. - POW
S/Sgt Peter Greyno, Sn #13038360 - KIA
S/Sgt Frank M. Zech, Sn #35300780 - KIA
S/Sgt John S. Saunders, Sn #16044132 - ?
S/Sgt Anthony J. Lacek, Sn# 32236430 - KIA
S/Sgt Jim T. McCloy, Sn# 37069811 - KIA
Staff Sergeant Jim T. McCloy, Sn#37069811, earned the following badges/decorations for his service during World War II:
- Army Air Corps Aerial Gunner's Wings
- Purple Heart Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal and bronze battle/campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
Jim's brother, Sam McCloy also served during World War II with the United States Navy as a Sea Bee.
**NOTE - Jim's grave is respectfully cared for by the Marco Beyleveld family that lives near the Margraten cemetery. We are forever in their debt for the honored care they give Jim's memory.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Arkansas.
Family Members
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