James A. Wadlow was born on February 15, 1921 in Kiowa County, Oklahoma. He was the son of George W. Wadlow and Ada E. Wadlow.

James arrived in Karachi, India (now Pakistan) aboard USS Mission Bay on March 29, 1944. He was attached to the 3rd Bombardment Squadron, 1st Bombardment Group, Chinese-American Composite Wing, 14th Air Force, on April 5 at Malir Airfield as Airplane Crew Chief. The squadron was transferred to Moran Airfield in Assam Province, India, and Wadlow flew as a gunner on combat missions into Burma, in addition to his duties as a B-25 mechanic. He was promoted to corporal on October 1 at Peishiyi, soon after the squadron transferred to China. He was on detached duty to Task Force 34 at Chihkiang in December 1944 and January 1945, primarily flying missions against enemy truck convoys. He was promoted to Sergeant on April 1, 1945. Soon afterward, on May 16, he and five other crew members were shot down on a mission against the Japanese-held airfield at Ichang. Wadlow and four others were reported as KIA on that date. He is now buried in the Hobart Rose Cemetery, Hobart, Kiowa County, Oklahoma, USA.

Sgt Wadlow was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com