James A. Beaty was born on October 3, 1923, in Benton, Alaska. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Engineer of B-17 #42-107191 nicknamed "Tomahawk Warrior" during World War II.

On August 12, 1944, Tomahawk Warrior embarked on its 25th combat mission, targeting sites in France. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced mechanical issues, with two of its four engines catching fire. Despite the dire situation, the pilot managed to steer the failing bomber away from populated areas, ultimately crashing into a field at Lude Farm near Penn, Buckinghamshire. All nine crew members aboard perished in the crash.

TSgt Beaty is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA. James A. Beaty's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 18, in the bottom right wing (section D).

Source of information: www.forcesnews.com, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org