James Musselman Crockett was born on April 22, 1920, in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. He was the son of William Perry Crockett and Ethel Fullenwider Crockett. He was married to Virginia J. O'Reilly Crockett and father to Barbara J. Crockett Alveal. He enlisted in the service on November 29, 1942. He served in the 826th Bomber Squadron, 484th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of B-24J #42-51967 nicknamed ''Strange Cargo'' during World War II.

On March 4, 1945, the B-24 Strange Cargo was hit by flak during a bombing mission over Graz, Austria, tearing off its nose turret and sending it into a spin. Two crew members died in the aircraft, while others bailed out. Of those who parachuted to safety, two were taken as POWs, but four were murdered after capture. When local police refused an SS order to execute the Americans, a German soldier killed four of them.

2Lt Crockett was captured and held in Germany as a prisoner of war. He was discharged on November 1, 1945, concluding his military service with the rank of First Lieutenant. He died on June 4, 1964, and is now buried in the Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA.

Source of information:paulmcguire1.com, aircrewremembered.com, www.findagrave.com