James McNeil Doolittle was born on December 12, 1913, in Mississippi. He was the husband of Laverne Hannah Doolittle. He served in the 343rd Bomber Squadron, 98th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Gunner of B-24 #42-64483 during World War II.

On February 22, 1944, during the Allied air offensive known as Big Week, a B-24H #42-64483 was flying a combat bombing mission against the Messerschmitt aircraft factory at Regensburg, Germany. Only minutes before reaching the target, the bomber encountered intense German defenses and was struck by heavy anti-aircraft flak while also being attacked by numerous enemy fighter aircraft. The Liberator sustained severe damage, caught fire, and shortly afterward exploded in mid-air, crashing near Bukovec. The crash killed ten members of the crew, with only one surviving.

Sgt Doolittle was blown clear of the aircraft during the explosion and survived. He was captured and taken as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow, Pomerania, Prussia. He died on May 28, 1976, and is now buried in the Louisville Memorial Cemetery, Louisville, Winston County, Mississippi, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.aviation-safety.net, aad.archives.gov