James A. “Jimmy” Logan was born on April 22, 1921 in Massachusetts. He served in the 836th Bomber Squadron, 487th Bomber Group, Heavy as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of the B-24H 42-52609 during World War II. His Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137, near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe.
On July 2, 1944 the 487th Bomb Group dispatched two squadrons of B-24s to bomb the German V-weapon site at Belloy-sur-Somme, France, northwest of Amiens near the River Somme. Lt Logan's crew flew B-24H 42-52609 on this mission. On the return route, S/Sgt Buck and five of his crewmates were killed in action when their aircraft was shot down by flak in the area of Bethune-St. Pol, France. After the aircraft was hit and on fire, Lt Logan pulled up to avoid colliding with another aircraft in the formation. This was B-24H 42-52766 'Sammy's Niece' with the crew of Lt Joseph P. Peyton aboard. Lt Logan's selfless act saved the Peyton crew; then his aircraft broke up and went down in flames. It crashed 3.5 kilometers west of Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, and 2 kilometers east of Siracourt, in the vicinity of 50.373°N, 2.291°E. Three men survived and became prisoners of war.
1Lt Logan is now buried in the Veterans Cemetery, Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA.
B-24H 42-52609 crew:
• Logan, James A – 2/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Matika, Bruno – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Doran, Harry LeRoy – 2/Lt – Navigator – POW
• Greer, George Hubert – T/Sgt – Engineer – POW
• Johnson, William T – S/Sgt – Radio Operator – KIA
• Pellizzer, Louis – S/Sgt – Nose Turret Gunner – KIA
• Wilson, Max W – S/Sgt – Upper Turret Gunner – KIA
• Buck, Herman W – S/Sgt – Ball Turret Gunner – KIA
• Ross, John Finlay – S/Sgt – Tail Turret Gunner – POW
Excerpt from citation accompanying the Distinguished Flying Cross, certified by the President of the United States, and authorized by an Act of Congress, Award posthumously 14 March, 1949; "Distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement as pilot of a B-24; type aircraft on an operational mission to Belloy-Sur-Somme, France."
Near the target his aircraft was severely damaged and set on fire by anti-aircraft fire, causing it to veer sharply toward other aircraft in the formation, in a moment of great peril to himself and his crew, Lieutenant Logan, remained at the controls and skillfully maneuvered the burning aircraft out of the formation in order to prevent damage to other aircraft and injury to his fellow airmen. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives and through it, lives in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com