James Benton “SPOOK” Coulson was born on April 3, 1925, in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa. He was the son of Floyd Noe Coulson and Margaret Ione Benton Coulson. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17 #42-102565 nicknamed ''The Ugly Duckling'' during World War II.

On November 26, 1944, the aircraft was lost during a bombing mission over Misburg, Germany. While returning to base, the aircraft sustained severe damage from enemy anti-aircraft fire near Zwolle, Netherlands. The impact caused a runaway propeller, forcing the crew to bail out over the IJsselmeer (then known as the Zuiderzee). Tragically, all nine crew members perished, likely due to hypothermia from the frigid waters.

Sgt Coulson is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium. James B. Coulson's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 21, in the top right wing (section B).

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