James Kokonis was born on February 22, 1921 in Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He resided in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania prior to the war. James served as a Staff Sergeant on B-25J #43-3933, 22nd Bomber Squadron, 341st Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

James was "Killed In Action" when his B-25, while on a combat mission to Paoching, China, was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed with all aboard in China during the war. He is now buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA in a common grave with his crew.

Ssgt Kokonis 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