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Revisiting the James Leininger Case: A Survival Skeptic Strikes Back

Results of a Ctrl F search through the US Navy history website for James, jr according to the criteria established in the previous posts (only officers included (all pilots were officers), service on non-aircraft carrier ships not included, Pacific theater only, KIA or missing or later declared dead after combat death in the ocean included):
A – 0
B – 0
C --0 *** COOMBE, Harry J Jr, ENS, O-368428, USNR, from Ohio, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss July 18, 1945 (pm) + COOMBE, Harry J, Ensign, O-368428, USN, from Ohio, Jul-45, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + COOMBE, Harry James, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry James Coome, Sr., 2363 Grandin Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio (na)*** Not included since Ens Coombe was not killed by enemy fire, but instead ditched in the ocean when his plane ran out of fuel: Bulletin of Yale University, Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale University Deceased during the year 1945-46:

“Withdrew from college January 30,1943, went into active service as aviation cadet, US Naval Reserve, March 12, 1943, received training at Pensacola, Fla, Chapel Hill, NC , Olathe, Kans, and at Barm Field, commissioned Ensign A-U(N), U S Naval Reserve, April 28, 1944, assigned to Composite Squadron 33 (VC-33), flying fighter type aircraft, San Diego, in September, 1944, took Naval Air Spotters Gunnery Course, Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, March-April, 1945, went overseas April, 1945, took part in engagements over Okinawa and Japan Ensign Coombe was returning to the carrier with his- squadron after covering an infantry landing in the South Pacific when his plane fell into the ocean Survived by parents, a sister, Mary Anderson Coombe (Vassar Class of 1949), a brother, Vachel Anderson Coombe, '48 E, and paternal grandfather.” (source: http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1925_1952/1945-46.pdf )

D – 0
E – 0
F – 0
G – 0
H – 0
I – 0
J – 0
K – 0
L – 0
M – 0
N – 0
O – 0
P – 0
Q – 0
R -- 0 *** RAFTIS, Daniel James, Jr., Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel James Raftis, Sr., 210 First Ave., NE Oelwein, Iowa (na) *** Not included since Lt. Raftis was a boat support officer who served in the Meditteranean. Awarded Silver Star for gallentry in 1943, source: www.newspapers.com The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) 18 Jan 1945 p. 4.
S – 0
T – 0
U – 0
V -- 0 ***VILSACK, James R, Ensign, O-378896, USN, from Pennsylvania, Apr-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + VILSACK, James Richard, Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Anthony Vilsac, 4371 Schenley Farms Terrace, Pittsburgh, Pa (na) + VILSACK, James, Jr, ENSIGN, 378896, Fighting Squadron 6 (USS Hancock), Okinawa Gunto operation, April 6, 1945, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd April 6, 1945 (bp2)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James.
W -- 0 ***WHELAN, Walter J, Jr, ENSIGN, 351073, Patrol Bombing Squadron 104, January 11, 1945, (CasCode6422), dd January 11, 1945 (bp2) *** This squadron never served aboard an aircraft carrier. It was always a land-based bomber group. SO, NOT INCLUDED.
XYZ -- 0

Next up: Ctrl F search for James who were named after their fathers (ie. James, jr or father named James) but were listed with a middle initial in every citation so not captured in the Ctrl F search above. Example: James M. Huston, jr, aka Huston, James M., jr. This could take a while as there are thousands of "James" listed on the website.
 
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Results of a Ctrl F search through the US Navy history website for James including only "jr."s, (and/or father named James) and according to the criteria established in the previous posts (only officers included (all pilots were officers), service on non-aircraft carrier ships or land-based not included, Pacific theater only, KIA or missing or later declared dead after combat death in the ocean, ie., shot down by the Japanese, included):

A -- 0 ***ALEXANDER, James Herbert, Jr., Lt., (jg), USNR. Mother, Mrs. Pearl L. Alexander, 1619 W. 5th St., Sioux City, Iowa (na)***NOT INCLUDED. KIA North Atlantic Ocean. (source: https://navy.togetherweserved.com/s...hadowBoxProfile&type=AssignmentExt&ID=1058437)

***ATTEBERRY, James L Jr, ENS, O-299021, USNR, from Kentucky, location Netherlands East Indies, missing, date of loss August 13, 1944 (pm) + ATTEBERRY, James L, Ensign, O-299021, USN, from Kentucky, 1946 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + ATTEBERRY, James Lawrence, Jr., Ensign, Supply Corps, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Rose Bacon Atteberry, 210 Kingston Ave., Louisville, Ky (na) + ATTEBERRY, James L, Jr, ENSIGN, 299021, Patrol Squadron 11, Western New Guinea operations, August 13, 1944, (CasCode6222), dd February 5, 1946 (bp2)***NOT INCLUDED. Patrol Squadron 11 was a squadron of seaplanes, land-based, not carrier-based. (source: www. Newspapers.com, The Courier Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), 22 Mar 1946 p.22 (declared dead) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPB-11.)

***AVERILL, James K, CDR, O-061326, USN, from New York, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss March 26, 1944 (pm) + AVERILL, James K, Commander, O-061326, USN, from New York, Mar-44, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + AVERILL, James Kent, Commander, USN. Wife, Mrs. Margaret S. Averill, 201 Hereford Ave., Ferguson, Mo (na)***NOT INCLUDED.
No jr citation. Also, James was lost on March 26, 1944 when the aircraft he was aboard crashed immediately after takeoff from USS Lexington (CV 16). He was Chief of Staff for Carrier Division 11 at the time of his loss, and was returning to the flagship (USS Yorktown (CV 10). (source: https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_K._AVERILL,_CDR,_USN)

Note to readers: What am I doing? I'm trying to see if I can come up with a very short list of US Navy carrier-based pilots who were named James (and whose father was also named James), who were shot down by the Japanese and crashed in the Pacific Ocean during WW2, using criteria from James Leininger "early bird" claims WITHOUT reference to "Natoma" or "Iwo Jima" or even "Jack Larsen/Larson", if possible.

cont'd next post
 
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B -- 1 ***BATES, James Parker, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Father, Mr. James P. Bates, Sr., 7342 S.E. 29th Ave., Portland, Ore (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Killed off the English coast in a training exercise. (Source: www.newspapers.com, Carlsbad Current Argus (Carlsbad, New Mexico), 24 May 1942, p.1.

***BETHEL, James H Jr, ENS, O-321002, USNR, from Virginia, USS Hornet, location Philippine Islands, missing, date of loss January 7, 1945 (pm) + BETHEL, James H, Ensign, O-321002, USN, from Virginia, 1946 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + BETHEL, James Houston, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Lillian Bethel, Rt. 4, Appomattox, Va (na) + BETHEL, James H, Jr, ENSIGN, 321002, Fighting Squadron 11 (USS Hornet), Third Fleet in support of operations Luzon attacks, January 7, 1945, (CasCode6222), dd January 8, 1946 (bp2)*** NOT INCLUDED. Killed in hot pursuit of a Japanese fighter when his Hellcat hit the water.

(Source: https://epdf.pub/vf-11-111-sundowners-1942-95-aviation-elite-units.html )

BOIES, James R, ENSIGN, 145950, Fighting Squadron 5 (USS Yorktown), Wake Island raid, October 6, 1943, (CasCode122) died of wounds, October 7, 1943, dd October 7, 1943 (bp2) + BOIES, James R, Ensign, O-145950, USN, from Louisiana, Oct-43, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + BOIES, James Reese, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Ola Mae Boies, Rayville, La (na) + BOIES, James, ENS, O-145950, USNR, from Louisiana, USS Yorktown - Ii, location Wake Island, missing, date of loss October 7, 1943 (pm). “Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. [James Cook] Boies . . .” (Source: www.newspapers.com The Richland Beacon News (Rayville, Louisiana), 30 Sept 1944, p.1.)

Secondary source: https://www.100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=personnel&Itemid=334&id=13374 “He named me after his best friend and cousin, Ensign James Reese Boies, who was a Navy fighter pilot, killed in action at the Battle of Wake Island . . . His fighter, a Grumman F6A [Hellcat], crashed into the Pacific Ocean.”


***BRIDGES, James E, Lieutenant, O-104354, USN, from Georgia, 1946 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + BRIDGES, James Edwin, Lt., USNR. Mother, Mrs. Lillie M. Bridges, Brinson, Ga (na) + BRIDGES, James E, LT, O-104354, USNR, from Georgia, USS Intrepid - VT-6, location Caroline Islands, missing, date of loss February 16, 1944 (pm) + BRIDGES, James E, LT, 104354, Torpedo Squadron 6 (USS Intrepid), Truk attack, February 16/17, 1944, (CasCode6222), dd January 15, 1946 (bp2)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James.

(Source. www. Findagrave.com, for James Edwin Bridges. “Son of Dr. Robert Larkin Bridges and Lillie Mae Maddox Bridges (3rd of nine children).”

***BURK, James E, Lieutenant, O-125462, USN, from Texas, Jun-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + BURK, James Elijah, Lieutenant, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Mary Virginia Burk, 351 Redwood, San Antonio, Tex (na) + BURK, James E, LT, O-125462, USNR, from Texas, USS Wasp (CV-18), location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss June 18, 1945 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (William Henry Burk). Source: www.findagrave.com for Lt. James E. Burk.

***BURK, James R, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-215385, USN, from New Jersey, Oct-44, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + BURK, James Reber, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Stella Elizabeth Burk, State Highway, Beverly, NJ (na) + BURK, James R, LTJG, O-215385, USNR, from New Jersey, location New Britain Island, missing, date of loss April 29, 1944 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. PT Boat Commander. Father not named James (Paul H. Burk). Source: www.newspapers.com Republican and Herald (Pottsville, Pennsylvania) 05 May 1944, p.8.

Note to readers: What am I doing? I'm trying to see if I can come up with a very short list of US Navy carrier-based pilots who were named James (and whose father was also named James), who were shot down by the Japanese and crashed in the Pacific Ocean during WW2, using criteria from James Leininger "early bird" claims WITHOUT reference to "Natoma" or "Iwo Jima" or even "Jack Larsen/Larson", if possible.

C -- next post.
 
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C --2 CALDWELL, James E Jr, ENS, O-114415, USNR, from California, USS Enterprise, location Solomon Islands, missing, date of loss October 26, 1942 (pm) + CALDWELL, James E, Ensign, O-114415, USN, from California, Oct-43, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + CALDWELL, James Earl, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. James Earl Caldwell, Jr., 3637 Hamilton St., Fresno, Calif (na). Shot down by Japanese fighters while defending his carrier from enemy attack. Source: The Fresno Bee (Fresno, California), 19 May 1943, p.13.

***COLEMAN, Lee J, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-114557, USN, from Nebraska, Sep-44, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + COLEMAN, Lee James, Lt., (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Sara Kathleen Coleman, 3608 Valencia Rd., Jacksonville, Fla (na) + COLEMAN, Lee J, LTJG, O-114557, USNR, from Nebraska, location New Hebrides, missing, date of loss August 31, 1943 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Neal Seth Coleman). Source: www.ancestry.com

CONNERS, James R Jr, ENS, O-301602, USNR, from Massachusetts, USS White Plains (CVE-66, location Philippine Sea, missing, date of loss October 25, 1944 (pm) + CONNERS, James R, Ensign, O-301602, USN, from Massachusetts, Oct-44, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + CONNERS, James Richard, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Richard Conners, Sr., 69 Preston St., Everett, Boston, Mass (na)??? Still researching. Not clear whether he was shot down or ditched in the ocean. Lost 25 Oct 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf 23 -26 Oct 1944, specifically Battle of Samar 25 Oct 1944.
“The USS White Plains CVE 66 . . . carried 45 officers, 620 men, and approx. 25 aircraft. The USS White Plains’ greatest moment in combat came on October 25, 1944, when, as part of Task Unit 77.4.3, during the Battle of Samar, Philippines, she and other ships of the United State Navy, against great odds, engaged and retired the Central Japanese Force including destroyers, cruisers and battleships, which were headed toward the main American body at Leyte Gulf. . .” Source: https://whiteplainshistory.github.io/pages/UssWhitePlains.html

“While on the west coast, WHITE PLAINS conducted operational training for her own ship's company and carrier qualifications for three air squadrons. In April, she embarked her own permanently assigned air unit, Composite Squadron (VC) 4, composed of 16 Wildcat fighters and 12 Avenger torpedo bombers.” Source: https://www.navysite.de/cve/cve66.htm
https://usswhiteplains.com/

***COOK, James H, ENS, O-099941, USNR, from Louisiana, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss August 22, 1942 (pm) + COOK, James H, Ensign, O-099941, USN, from Louisiana, Aug-42, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + COOK, James Hill, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Marjorie Stevenson Cook, 4002 Curtis Lane, Shreveport, La (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Lifford H. Cook).
Source: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7559430/the-times/
The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, 11 March 1942, p.7 “Cook-Stevenson Nuptials to be Held Thursday”

***COOMBE, Harry J Jr, ENS, O-368428, USNR, from Ohio, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss July 18, 1945 (pm) + COOMBE, Harry J, Ensign, O-368428, USN, from Ohio, Jul-45, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + COOMBE, Harry James, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry James Coome, Sr., 2363 Grandin Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Ensign Coombe’s plane was not shot down but apparently went down in the Pacific Ocean for some other reason (short of fuel, mechanical problem, etc.) on way back to carrier from a mission. Source: http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1925_1952/1945-46.pdf

***CRANE, James L, ENS, O-337101, USNR, from Indiana, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss November 20, 1944 (pm) + CRANE, James L, Ensign, O-337101, USN, from Indiana, Nov-44, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + CRANE, James Lawrence, Ensign, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Mary Queenie Crane, Hillsboro, Ind (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James. (Ollie Depew Crane) Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29564175/james-lawrence-crane

Ensign James Conners, jr (see above) died at some point in the Battle of Samar 25 Oct 1944.
How he died, whether he was shot down by the Japanese or whether he was forced to ditch in the Pacific is the question I'm grappling with at the moment. He served aboard the American escort carrier USS White Plains, which was part of a group of 6 escort carriers and accompanying destroyer screen named "Taffy 3" or "Taffy Group 3" and would face the bulk of the attacking Japanese central fleet, including the largest battleship ever built, the Yamato.
 
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D -- 1 DARRACOTT, James C, LTJG, 301611, Fighting Squadron 20 (USS Lexington), later Luzon operations, December 14, 1944, (CasCode6222), dd December 15, 1945 (bp2) + DARRACOTT, James G, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-301611, USN, from North Carolina, December 1945 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + DARRACOTT, James Gideon, Lieutenant (jg) USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James G. Darracott, 307 Battleground Rd., Kings Mountain, NC (na) + DARRACOTT, James G, LTJG, O-301611, USNR, from North Carolina, USS Lexington (CV-16), location Philippine Islands, missing, date of loss December 14, 1944 (pm). Source: USS Lexington CV-16 en route to the Philippines on
13 December 1944. Note the mast and wake of another ship visible behind Lexington.
https://mighty90.com/Operation_LOVE_III.html

“Repaired at Ulithi after the battle, Lexington spent December and January 1945 raiding Luzon and Formosa before entering the South China Sea to strike at Indochina and Hong Kong.” Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/uss-lexington-cv-16-2360379

Four pilots from Fighting Squadron 20 (USS Lexington), missing and presumed down (including James C. Darracott), 14 Dec 1944, later Luzon Operations.
Source: https://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNBPbyDate1944.htm

***DAY, James Garrett, Ensign, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Sallie Day, 19 Edwards Ave., Walton, Ky (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (John Day). Died in plane crash in Oxnard, California. Source: www.newspapers.com Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, Kentucky), 20 Dec 1944, p.3.

***DENDINGER, James A B, ENSIGN, 351551, Fighting Squadron 23 (USS Langley), 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, March 29, 1945, (CasCode6222), dd March 30, 1946 (bp2) + DENDINGER, James A B, Ensign, O-351441, USN, from Nebraska, 1946 (WW2), Honolulu Memorial (bm) + DENDINGER, James August Beste, Ensign. USNR. Mother, Mrs. Lavina M. Dendinger, 307 9th St., Norfolk, Nebr (na) + DENDINGER, James A, ENS, O-351441, USNR, from Nebraska, location Ryukyus Islands, missing, date of loss March 29, 1945 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Frank F. Dendinger). Source: https://peoplelegacy.com/ens_james_august_b_dendinger-0g276q

***DETTY, James Norman, Ensign. USNR. Wife, Mrs. Alma Mildred Detty, Brainard Rd., Lyndhurst, Ohio (na). / b. 17 Apr 1922, Cleveland, Ohio, d. 22 July 1945; Father: James Harvey Detty. Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190445407/james-norman-detty ***NOT INCLUDED. Died in Hawaii, apparently plane accident, July 1945. Source:
https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/USN/LLJul45.htm

***DOYLE, James Quincy, Lt., USNR. Wife, Mrs. Elise Cooke Doyle, 4433 Kahala Ave., Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii (na) (b. 30 Jan 1914, Springfield, Mass., d. 31 July 1944, Funafuti, Tuvalu; burial Honolulu, Hawaii)***NOT INCLUDED. Transport airplane accident.
Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65191328/james-quincy-doyle

***DROEGE, James Barry, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Mother, Mrs. Rosalie B. Droege, 1209 Bellevue Ave., St. Louis, Mo (na)/ b. 20 June 1920, St. Louis, Missouri, d. Oct 1944.***NOT INCLUDED. No mention of father anywhere. More than likely father never lived with family.

***DROLES, James G, CAPA, 3859027, USN, from Washington, location Hawaiian Islands, missing, date of loss April 26, 1944 (pm) + DROLES, James G, Chief Aviation Pilot, 3859027, USN, from Washington, Apr-44, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + DROLES, James George, Chief Aviation Pilot, USN. Wife, Mrs. Doris Luella Droles, 20 S. 10th St., Yakima, Wash (na)
b. 17 July 1922, father born in Greece.***NOT INCLUDED. “Silver Eagles [Navy enlisted men trained as Navy aviation pilots in WW2, ie. CAPAs] were to relegated fly what the Navy called Auxiliary Aircraft - transport, recon, supply aircraft, etc. This was because the officers felt that the really glorious and heroic job of flying combat aircraft should be only done by officers.” (Inference – chief aviation pilots did not fly off aircraft carriers). Source: https://www.quora.com/During-WWII-could-chief-petty-officers-be-pilots-in-the-U-S-Navy

Note to readers: As a reminder, this is the website/ data set that I am working from:
https://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNbyNameM.htm
To do a Ctrl F search of this site you need to cut and paste the link to a separate page
 
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E -- 0 ***EAKINS, James Fleming, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Father, Mr. James F. Eakins, Sr., 638 N. 2d West, Salt Lake City (Later address: Roslyn Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif.) (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Died in Arizona, 10 Sep 1942. Source: EAKINS, JR., JAMES FLEMING (child of JAMES FLEMING EAKINS, SR.) was born 10 May 1920 in SILVERBOW, MT;; died 10 Sep 1942 in COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA, U.S.A.. Check Archives.com for JR., JAMES FLEMING EAKINS.

F – 0 ***FITZPATRICK, James Francis, Jr., Lieutenant Commander, USN. Wife, Mrs. Louise M. Fitzpatrick, 1319 E. Blount St., Pensacola, Fla (na) ***NOT INCLUDED. Airplane crashed in dense jungle.
“James was lost on June 26, 1943 when the aircraft he was aboard crashed "in dense jungle" in New Hebrides. (Information from September 1946 issue of Shipmate.)
He was commanding officer of Fighting Squadron (VF) 27. The squadron, along with several others, were in the process of flying from New Hebrides to Guadalcanal. The squadron normally operated from USS Suwanee (CVE 27), but was based in Guadalcanal until late July while the ship was moored to a buoy in Havannah Harbor, Efate Island, New Hebrides.”
Source: https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_F._FITZPATRICK,_JR.,_LCDR,_USN

G -- 0 ***GERBERDING, James H, LCDR, 81766, Patrol Bombing Squadron 116, Okinawa Gunto operation, June 29, 1945, (CasCode6222), dd June 30, 1946 (bp2) + GERBERDING, James Hamilton. Lt Comdr, USN. Wife, Mrs. Jeanne Graham Gerberding, 260 SW. 25th Rd., Miami, Fla (Missing in action) (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Richard Henry Gerberding). Source: https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/james-hamilton-gerberding-24-231csft

***GINN, James B, LTJG, Cruiser Scouting Squadron 4 Maryland (BB-46), Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, (CasCode6321) killed, body recovered, dd December 8, 1941 (bp4) + GINN, James B., Lt (jg), USN. Wife, Mrs. Harriet Peterson Ginn, 1565 Pensacola St., Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii (na) + GINN, James Blackburn, Lieutenant (jg), USN, USS Maryland, Dec 7, 1941 (ph)***NOT INCLUDED. Died in plane crash in Hawaii. “James was lost "in an air crash 10 miles west of Barbers Pt [Oahu, Hawaii]". Not carrier-based. Source: https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_B._GINN,_LTJG,_USN

***GLADNEY, James B, ENS, O-306192, USNR, from Alabama, USS Chenango, location Pacific Ocean: North American Area, missing, date of loss September 21, 1944 (pm) + GLADNEY, James B, Ensign, O-306192, USN, from Alabama, Sep-44, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + GLADNEY, James Buford, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Mary Frances Gladney, 1104 S. High St., columbia, Tenn (na) + GLADNEY, James B, ENSIGN, 306192, Torpedo Squadron 35 (USS Chenango), Western New Guinea operations, September 21, 1944, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd September 21, 1944 (bp2).***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Joseph Gladney). Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/119217582:6224 and https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/11143085:2238

***GRISWOLD, James R, Lieutenant, O-128518, USN, from Tennessee, Mar-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + GRISWOLD, James, Lt, USN, Franklin CV-13, March 19, 1945 (nm) + GRISWOLD, James Robert, Lieutenant, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Katherine D. Griswold, 900 Vine St., Chattanooga, Tenn (na) + GRISWOLD, James R, LT, 128518, USS Franklin (CV-13), 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto Operations, March 19, 1945, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd March 19, 1945 (bp5). ***NOT INCLUDED. Killed on board the deck of his carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) by enemy bombs. Source: https://etvma.org/veterans/james-r-griswold-9284/
 
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H -- 3 ***HAFF, Henry J, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-263708, USN, from Illinois, Jun-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + HAFF, Henry James, Lt., (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Marianne Charlotte Haff, 4517 Altgeld St., Chicago, Ill (na) + HAFF, Henry J, LTJG, O-263708, USNR, from Illinois, USS Wasp (CV-18), location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss June 20, 1944 (pm) + HAFF, Henry J, LTJG, 263708, Bombing Squadron 14 (USS Wasp), Battle of Philippine Sea, June 20, 1944, (CasCode6222), dd June 21, 1945 (bp2). ***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James.
Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...2ce7a52d&_phsrc=Dnd173&_phstart=successSource

HAGAN, James T, ENSIGN, 395846, Torpedo Squadron 84 (USS Bunker Hill CV-17), 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, May 11, 1945, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd May 11, 1945 (bp2) + HAGAN, James T, Ensign, O-395846, USN, from District of Columbia, May-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + HAGAN, James, Ens, USN, Bunker Hill CV-17, May 11, 1945 (nm) + HAGAN, James Thomas, Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hagan, 1921 Hamlin St., N. E, DC (na)/ b. 11 Mar 1922 High Springs Florida. Father was named James. Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...f9d631bc&_phsrc=Dnd180&_phstart=successSource

???HALLOWELL, Gloyde James, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Father, Mr. James William Hallowell, 607 E. Central St., Carthage, Mo (na)??? Not enough information.

HAWKINS, James I, ENS, O-305999, USNR, from Virginia, USS Bunker Hill, location Philippine Islands, missing, date of loss November 13, 1944 (pm) + HAWKINS, James I, Ensign, O-305999, USN, from Virginia, November 1945 (WW2) Manila American Cemetery (bm) + HAWKINS, James Isaac, Ensign, Supply Corps, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Ina A. Hawkins, 403 Moore St., Bristol, Va (na) + HAWKINS, James I, ENSIGN, 305999, Bombing Squadron 4 (USS Bunker Hill), Air attacks on Luzon, November 13, 1944, (CasCode6222), dd November 14, 1945 (bp2)/ “November 13, 1944: Ens. James I. Hawkins and gunner ARM3c G. P. Curtice (VB-4). Plane last seen prior to pushover [start of steep dive from high altitude] on shipping in Manila Harbor. Listed MIA with no post-war reports.” Source: http://www.airgroup4.com/mia-pow.htm and https://books.google.com/books?id=ofSKMh3y1BcC&pg=PA83&lpg=PA83&dq=Ensign+"James+I.+HAWKINS"&source=bl&ots=stzGVP7qwi&sig=ACfU3U3oN1XdGSdME8bmfgx2DWTwZ5w6Xg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjis6rjnZn3AhXUk4kEHSVkCGIQ6AF6BAgTEAM#v=onepage&q=Ensign "James I. HAWKINS"&f=false

***HEDRICK, James P, ENS, O-363343, USNR, from Virginia, USS Intrepid (CV-11), location Philippine Islands, missing, date of loss October 29, 1944 (pm) + HEDRICK, James P, Ensign, O-363343, USN, from Virginia, Oct-45, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + HEDRICK, James Paul, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Carolyn Olive Hedrick, 403 Albermarle Ave., SW, Roanoke, Va (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Jacob P. Hedrick). Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...b0a4d4d0&_phsrc=Dnd244&_phstart=successSource

***HEMPSTED, James M, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-204668, USN, from Colorado, Feb-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + HEMPSTED, James, Lt(jg) USN, Bismarck Sea CVE-95, February 21, 1945 (nm) + HEMPSTED, James Milton, Lt., (jg), USN. Brother, Mr. Charles Asa Hempsted, 2205 Pine St., Boulder, Colo (na) + HEMPSTED, James M, LTJG, O-204668, USN, from Colorado, location Bonin & Volcano Islands, missing, date of loss February 21, 1945 (pm) + HEMPSTED, James M, LTJG, 204668, USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95), Iwo Jima Landing and Occupation, February 21, 1945, (CasCode6421), dd February 21, 1945 (bp4)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Asa C. Hempsted)// b. 02 Mar 1919, Boulder, CO, Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...4d040312&_phsrc=Dnd237&_phstart=successSource

***HILDEBRAND, James T Jr, ENS, O-137143, USN, from Arkansas, location Alaska, missing, date of loss September 29, 1943 (pm) + HILDEBRAND, James T, Ensign, O-137143, USN, from Arkansas, Sep-43, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + HILDEBRAND, James Thomas, Jr., Ensign, USN. Wife, Mrs. Marion Aileen Hildebrand, 5546 20th St., South, Seattle, Wash (na) + HILDEBRAND, James T, Jr, ENSIGN, 137143, Patrol Squadron 41, June 28, 1942, (CasCode6222), dd September 29, 1943 (bp2)***NOT INCLUDED. Land-based seaplane.

???HOOD, James E, ENS, O-326428, USNR, from Missouri, location Central/South Pacific Theater, missing, date of loss February 16, 1945 (pm) + HOOD, James E, Ensign, O-326428, USN, from Missouri, Feb-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + HOOD, James Edgar, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Ruby Juanita Hood, 1210 E. 23d St., North Kansas City, Mo (na) + HOOD, James E, ENSIGN, 326428, Fighting Squadron 45 (USS San Jacinto), Fifth Fleet Raids against Honshu and Nansei Shoto, February 16, 1945, (CasCode6322), dd February 16, 1945 (bp2).??? Still researching// b. about 1923, graduated North Kansas City HS, KC, MO, enlisted 1942, 4 brothers Sgt. John E. Hood, Lt., W.J. Moore, Atlantic City NJ, Edward L. Moore, Turner, Kansas, Virgil E. Moore, North Kansas City, and one sister Miss Ossie Moore, Fresno CA. Source: Kansas City Star, Kansas City, MO, 25 Apr 1945, p.8. His wife Mrs. Juanita Hood. Source www.newspapers. com Kansas City Star 25 Apr 1945, p.8.

H cont'd in next post
 
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H (cont'd) --

HUSTON, James M Jr, LTJG, O-306452, USNR, from Pennsylvania, location Central/South Pacific Theater, missing, date of loss March 3, 1945 (pm) + HUSTON, James M, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-306452, USN, from Pennsylvania, Mar-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + HUSTON, James McCready, Jr., Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James McCready Huston, Sr., 819 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa (na) + HUSTON, James M, Jr, LTJG, 306452, Composite Squadron 81 (USS Natoma Bay), Iwo Jima assault and occupation, March 3, 1945, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd March 3, 1945 (bp2)


I/J -- 0 ***ISRAEL, James Lester, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Mother, Mrs. Babette Bloch Israel, 96 Grant St., New York, NY (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Adolph Cremieux Israel). Source: https://www.geni.com/people/James-Israel/6000000007315468331

???JAMES, Will R Jr, ENS, O-083912, USNR, from Oklahoma, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss April 8, 1942 (pm) + JAMES, Will R, Ensign, O-083912, USN, from Oklahoma, Apr-43, West Coast Memorial (bm) + JAMES, Will Roy, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Barbara B. James, 46 Floral Ave., Arcadia, Calif ( na)??? Still researching. Last name James presents its own twist. War in the Pacific Timeline: https://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/pacificwar/timeline.htm#:~:text=December 8, 1941 - U.S. and,, 1941 - Japanese invade Burma. Doolittle raid on Tokyo involved two aircraft carriers Hornet and Enterprise. Departed 02 Apr 1942 from SF Bay Area, Doolittle’s B-25b raiders took off from the Hornet, bombing of Tokyo 18 Apr 1942.

???JUDGE, James C, ENS, O-351353, USNR, from District of Columbia, USS Wasp, location Central/South Pacific Theater, missing, date of loss October 15, 1944 (pm) + JUDGE, James C, Ensign, O-351353, USN, from District of Columbia, Oct-45, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + JUDGE, James Cabell, Ensign, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Mildred Anderson Judge, 224 Sullivan St., New York, NY (na) + JUDGE, James C, ENSIGN, 351353, Fighting Squadron 14 (USS Wasp), Air attacks on Luzon, October 15, 1944, (CasCode6222), dd October 16, 1945 (bp2)// ??? b. 06 Dec 1920, Norfolk VA. Unknown name of father. Still researching.

K -- 0 ***KELLEY, James M, CAPA, 2123064, USN, from California, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss December 17, 1943 (pm) + KELLEY, James M, Chief Aviation Pilot, 2123064, USN, from California, Dec-43, West Coast Memorial (bm) + KELLEY, James Mathew, Chief Aviation Pilot, USN. Wife, Mrs. Betty Josephine Kelley, 1407 E. 18th St., Bakersfield, Calif (na)***NOT INCLUDED. CAPA pilots do not take off from aircraft carriers.

***KELLEY, John J, 3rd, LT, 133535, USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), 3rd Fleet supporting Attacks on Formosa, January 21, 1945, (Cascode121) killed in combat, dd January 21, 1945 (bp4) + KELLEY, John J, Lieutenant, O-133535, USN, from Wisconsin, Jan-45, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + KELLEY, John, Lt, USN, Ticonderoga CV-14, January 21, 1945 (nm) + KELLEY, John James III, Lieutenant, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John James Kelley, Jr., 1215 Graham Ave., Eau Claire, Wis (na)***NOT INCLUDED. John James the third would have made little James Leininger, James the fourth.

***KNIGHT, James P, Lieutenant, O-104625, USN, from New York, Apr-44, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + KNIGHT, James Percy, Lieutenant, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Craig Knight, 326 Merrill Dr., Corpus Christi, Tex (na) + KNIGHT, James P, LT, O-104625, USNR, from Pennsylvania, location New Britain Island, missing, date of loss April 29, 1944 (pm) + KNIGHT, James P, LT, 104625, Fighting Squadron 34, Bismarck Archipelago operations in support of air attacks, April 29, 1944, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd April 29, 1944 (bp2)// ***NOT INCUDED. Father not named James (Percey Knight). Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/704313906/?terms="James P Knight"&match=1

L -- 0 ***LEONARD, James G, Lieutenant, O-106859, USN, from Oregon, Jun-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + LEONARD, James Gordon, Lieutenant, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Martha Leonard, Island City, Ore (na) + LEONARD, James G, LT, O-106859, USNR, from Oregon, USS Enterprise, location Marianas Islands, missing, date of loss June 12, 1944 (pm) + LEONARD, James G, LT, 106859, Bombing Squadron 10 (USS Enterprise), Capture and occupation of Saipan, June 12, 1944, (CasCode6222), dd June 13, 1945 (bp2)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Francis Jacob Leonard). Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35355845/j.-gordon-leonard

***LOGAN, James Alexander, Commodore, USN. Wife, Mrs. Ruth H. Logan, 272 King George St., Annapolis, Md (na).***NOT INCUDED. Died in plane accident near Maghera, Northern Ireland. Source: https://magherafeltwardead.co.uk/persondepth.asp?cas_id=988
 
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M -- 4 ???MARTIN, James D, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-314825, USN, from Iowa, 1946 (WW2) Manila American Cemetery (bm) + MARTIN, James D, LTJG, O-314825, USNR, from Iowa, location Borneo, missing, date of loss March 12, 1945 (pm)??? Not enough information.

***MAZUR, Alfred James, Chief Aviation Pilot, USN. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Mazur, 43 McCleary Ave., Amsterdam, NY (na)***NOT INCLUDED. CAPAs (Chief Aviation Pilots) did not pilot aircraft off of carriers (only officer pilots did).

MCCALLEN, James L Jr, LT, O-106042, USNR, from Pennsylvania, USS Hancock, location Japan, missing, date of loss October 10, 1944 (pm) + MCCALLEN, James L, Lieutenant, O-106042, USN, from Pennsylvania, Oct-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm)// MIA since 10 Oct 1944 when led a flight of bombers from USS Hancock against Okinawa. Declared dead 19 Dec 1945. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/524009702/?terms="James L McCallen"&match=1

***MCCASLIN, James W, ENS, O-354655, USNR, from Texas, location Morotai, missing, date of loss February 12, 1945 (pm) + MCCASLIN, James W, Ensign, O-354655, USN, from Texas, 1946 (WW2) Manila American Cemetery (bm) + MCCASLIN, James Walter, Ensign, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Mollie McCaslin, Box 471, Chillicothe, Tex (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (John H. Mccaslin[g]). Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/63484714:6224 and https://www.newspapers.com/image/774244997/?terms="James McCaslin"&match=1

***MCFALL, James W, Lieutenant, O-142105, USN, from Virginia, Dec-43, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + MCFALL, James W, LT, O-142105, USNR, from Virginia, location New Hebrides, missing, date of loss December 12, 1943 (pm) + MCFALL, James William, Lieutenant, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Gladys Armstrong McFall, 41 1/2 Park St., Brandon, Vt (na).***NOT INCLUDED. Chaplain, not a pilot. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/616045993/?terms="James W McFall"&match=1

***MCGOVERN, James R C, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-099921, USN, from New York, Oct-42, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + MCGOVERN, James Robert Carey, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Mother, Mrs. James P. McGovern, 8794 15th Ave., Brooklyn, NY (na) + MCGOVERN, James R, LTJG, O-099921, USNR, from New York, location New Hebrides, missing, date of loss October 15, 1942 (pm)// Lt. McGovern, a Navy flyer, missing 15 Oct 1942 Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/52688616/?terms=%22James%20Robert%20Carey%20McGovern%22&match=1 ***NOT INCLUDED. Likely affiliated with seaplane patrol based on location and timing (New Hebrides, Oct 1942).

***MCLENDON, James B, ENS, O-363365, USNR, from Georgia, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss March 10, 1945 (pm) + MCLENDON, James B, Ensign, O-363365, USN, from Georgia, Mar-45, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + MCLENDON, James Barrett, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Ann McLendon, 943 Boulevard, Southeast Atlanta, Ga (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Jesse M. McLendon). Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...7fcbac90&_phsrc=Dnd313&_phstart=successSource
b. 18 June 1923, Atlanta, Georgia.

???MCNALLY, Alfred J, LTJG, 349075, Naval Operating Base, Okinawa, Okinawa Gunto operations, May 3, 1945, (CasCode132), dd June 22, 1945 (bp) + MCNALLY, Alfred James, Lieutenant (jg), Supply Corps, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Perham McNally, 2421 Elm St., Billings, Mont (na)??? // b. 08 Dec 1908, in Butte, Montana. Father named James. Son also called James. James married 2 July 1934 in Butte, Montana to Elizabeth Joan Perham. Maybe too old to be a carrier pilot? Age 33 in Dec 1941.

***MCNULTY, James J Jr, LT, O-112761, USNR, from Illinois, location Alaska, missing, date of loss April 27, 1944 (pm) + MCNULTY, James J, Lieutenant, O-112761, USN, from Illinois, Apr-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + MCNULTY, James Joseph, Jr., Lt., USNR. Wife, Mrs. Marguerite Leary McNulty, 227 Sheridan Rd., Kenilworth, Ill (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Went missing on patrol duty over the Aleutians, Alaska. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/372822516/?terms="James J McNulty"&match=1

MCPHERSON, James H, Lieutenant Commander, O-100312, USN, from California, 1946 (WW2) Honolulu Memorial (bm) + MCPHERSON, James Houhuth, Lt. Commander, USN. Parents, Captain and Mrs. James C. McPherson, USN. 2308 Boyer Ave., Seattle, Wash (na) + MCPHERSON, James H, LTCDR, O-100312, USN, from California, location Japan, missing, date of loss August 13, 1944 [sic/ 1945] (pm). Likely shot down over Tokyo Bay, Japan. Source:
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_H._MCPHERSON,_LCDR,_USN
Stationed on carrier USS Randolph (CV-15)

MCVEIGH, John J, ENS, O-368480, USNR, from Washington, USS Hornet, location Central/South Pacific Theater, missing, date of loss November 3, 1944 (pm) + MCVEIGH, John J, Ensign, O-368480, USN, from Washington, Nov-44, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + MCVEIGH, John James, Ens., USNR. Mother, Mrs. Alice Oberg, 608 East 2nd St., Aberdeen, Wash (na)

MILLER, James Dorn, Lieutenant (Jg), USNR. Parents, Mr. And Mrs. James Otis Miller, Box 27, Dexter City, Ohio (na)// KIA. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/7209611/?terms="James D. Miller"&match=1

M cont'd in next post.
 
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M (cont'd)

???MILLER, James, Lt., (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Betty Jeanne Miller, 1219 Haskell, Kansas City, Kans (na)???Not enough information.

***MILNER, Clarence J, ENS, O-329570, USNR, from Utah, location China Seas, missing, date of loss May 6, 1945 (pm) + MILNER, Clarence J, Ensign, O-329570, USN, from Utah, 1946 (WW2) Manila American Cemetery (bm) + MILNER, Clarence Jack, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Pearl Louise Milner, 653 E. 8th South, Salt Lake City, Utah (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Francis William Milner). Source: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/529971405/clarence-j-milner

***MOFFITT, James, Lieutenant, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Moffitt, 1879 Broadway, San Francisco, Calif (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Died 1944 in an accident of a naval transport plane in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Source: http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no2015090536/ and
https://www.newspapers.com/image/458536635/?terms="James Moffitt"&match=1

???MURPHY, James A, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-229558, USN, from New York, Dec-44, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + MURPHY, James Augustin, Jr., Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Anne Lincoln Murphy, 3344 Prospect Ave., Philadelphia, Pa (Later address: Washington, D. C.) (na).??? Not enough info. KIA in the Pacific. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/172142652/?terms="Anne Lincoln Murphy"&match=1

N -- 0 ***NEUDECK, James T, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-320815, USN, from California, 1946 (WW2), Honolulu Memorial (bm) + NEUDECK, James T, LTJG, O-320815, USNR, from California, location Marianas Islands, missing, date of loss August 13, 1946 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (George William Neudeck). Source: https://www.myheritage.com/names/james_neudeck
 
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O --1 ***O'DONNELL, Richard J, Lieutenant, O-106637, USN, from Ohio, Mar-44, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + O'DONNELL, Richard James, Lieutenant, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Bernard O'Donnell, 3567 Shaw Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio (na) + O'DONNELL, Richard J, LT, O-106637, USNR, from Ohio, location Solomon Islands, missing, date of loss March 22, 1944 (pm).***REMOVED June 10, 2022. Not known as James. He had an older brother named James Bernard O’Donnell (jr.). Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial...FMEX30*MTY1NDg3MDQwOS4zMC4xLjE2NTQ4NzA1NDEuMA. KIA. “Missing Flyer”. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/102709311/?terms="Richard J. O'Donnell"&match=1


OWENS, James C Jr, LT, O-075974, USN, from California, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss June 4, 1942 (pm) + OWENS, James C, Lieutenant, O-075974, USN, from California, Jun-43, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + OWENS, James, Lt, USN, Hornet CV-8, June 4, 1942 (nm) + OWENS, James Charles, Jr., Lieutenant, USN. Wife, Mrs. Helen Maxie Owens, 1446 Belfast Dr., Los Angeles, Calif (na)

“Japanese carrier-based planes were reported headed for Midway in the early morning of 4 June.[23] Hornet, Yorktown, and Enterprise launched aircraft, just as the Japanese carriers struck their planes below to prepare for a second attack on Midway.[24] Hornet dive bombers followed an incorrect heading and did not find the enemy fleet. Several bombers and all of the escorting fighters were forced to ditch when they ran out of fuel attempting to return to the ship; 15 torpedo bombers of Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) found the Japanese ships and attacked. They were met by overwhelming fighter opposition about eight nautical miles (9 mi; 15 km) out, and with no escorts to protect them, they were shot down one by one. Ensign George H. Gay, USNR, was the only survivor of 30 men.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Hornet_(CV-8)#Battle_of_Midway,_June_1942

Lt. James C. Owens, Jr. was a member of Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) shot down one by one by Japanese carrier-based fighters in the Battle of Midway, June 1942:
https://www.history.navy.mil/our-co...s-people/w/waldron-john-charles/nh-93595.html

Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) at the Battle of Midway, 4 June 1942:

 
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P -- 1 ***PARKER, James C, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-146115, USN, from Tennessee, 1946 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + PARKER, James Curtis, Lieutenant (jg), Supply Corps, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Curtis Parker, 2815 McCalla Ave., Knoxville, Tenn (na) + PARKER, James C, LTJG, O-146115, USNR, from Tennessee, location Caroline Islands, missing, date of loss March 9, 1944 (pm) // “Missing in plane flight while in the performance of his duty” . ***NOT INCLUDED. Apparently not killed in action. Probably not a result of enemy actions. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/586640533/?terms="James Curtis Parker"&match=1
“He was a bomber pilot”. Declared dead Feb 1946. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/772877824/?terms="James Curtis Parker"&match=1

PATTERSON, James Franklin, Lieutenant Commander, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Evelyn H. Patterson, Box 814, Maricopa, Calif (na)//
Missing in the Pacific. April 1945. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/1663978/?terms="James F. Patterson"&match=1
b. about 1918. Taft Union H.S. Taft, CA. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...98411b9b&_phsrc=Dnd354&_phstart=successSource

***PETERSON, Frank James, Lieutenant Commander, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Edmund Peterson, 653 N. 2d St., Lykens, Pa (na)// ***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Frank H. Peterson). http://www.dvrbs.com/monuments/collingswood/CollsWW2-FrankJamesPetersen.htm

***POINTER, James Cecil, Ensign, USNR. Sister, Miss Virginia Louise Pointer, Blanch, NC (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Willie W. Pointer). https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...a048d962&_phsrc=Dnd366&_phstart=successSource

???POWERS, John J, Lieutenant, O-074968, USN, from New York, May-43, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + POWERS, John, Lt, USN, Yorktown CV-5, May 8, 1942 (nm) + POWERS, John James, Lieutenant, USN. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Powers, 222 Seaman Ave., New York, NY (na) + POWERS, John J, LT, O-074968, USN, from New York, location Coral Sea, missing, date of loss May 8, 1942 (pm). ??? Both father and son known as “John” not James in 1920 US census.
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...63064782&_phsrc=Dnd378&_phstart=successSource

“John J. Powers was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for distinguished and conspicuous gallantry while serving as a Pilot with Bombing Squadron Five (VB-5) at the Battle of the Coral Sea against the Japanese during 4-8 May 1942. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.” Source: https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-106000/NH-106426.html#:~:text=Navy, page 245.-,John J.,History and Heritage Command Photograph.

John James Powers was born on 3 July 1912 in New York City, New York. He was appointed to the Naval Academy from that state and graduated an Ensign in 1935. For sea duty, he reported to USS West Virginia and transferred two years later to USS Augusta. In June 1938, . . . At the Battle of the Coral Sea from 4 to 7 May 1942, Powers led his squadron in five engagements against Japanese forces. On three missions on 4 May, he successfully hit targets at or near Tulagi. On 7 May, he led his attack section of three Douglas "Dauntless" dive bombers and succeeded to sink the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho. Dangerously diving to attack the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku the following day, he was caught within the explosion of shell and bomb fragments from the carrier and crashed. . . .
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/pers-us/uspers-p/j-powers.htm

Q -- 0 ***QUINN, James E, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-166821, USN, from Florida, Nov-44, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + QUINN, James, Lt(jg), USN, Liscome Bay CVE-56, November 24, 1943 (nm) + QUINN, James Edward, Lt., (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Betty Eileen Quinn, 4128 SW 13th Terrace, Coral Gables, Miami, Fla (na) + QUINN, James E, LTJG, O-166821, USNR, from Florida, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss November 24, 1943 (pm).***NOT INCLUDED. Escort carrier sunk by a Japanese submarine near the Gilbert Islands (not shot down by the Japanese). Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/617623317/?terms="James E. Quinn"&match=1 and https://www.history.navy.mil/conten...-up-close/the-sinking-of-uss-liscome-bay.html
 
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Re-posting post #25 to get new-comers up to speed:

In Sudduth's 2021 paper (JSE 35(4) "The James Leininger case re-examined" p.1001, Sudduth makes the following concessions about little James's "early bird" claims. James claimed that:

1) He was a pilot. 2) He flew a plane off a boat. 3) The Japanese shot his plane down. 4) His plane crashed and sank in the water.

Sudduth leaves out one notable claim, however, which can be used to identify the downed pilot, namely "I am James 3" "I am the third James."

Sudduth dismisses this claim on the grounds that James started signing his artwork just after his third birthday. Little James was just including his age in his artwork. But what do we do with James's statement "I am the third James."? If one takes this as a key identifying marker (if his past-life personality's name was "James", and by reason of the inclusion of "third" we have grounds to believe his past-life personality was a "junior" ie., the second James, James "2", claim 5) I am the third James would translate to My name was James, junior or My father's name was James, too.

It seems to me, ignoring EVERYTHING else about this case, that one could identify the dead pilot based on the above 5 claims alone.

Claims 1 and 2: He was a pilot who flew off a boat would imply that he was an American or possibly British Navy or Marine officer who flew aircraft off aircraft carriers.
Claims 3: He was shot down by the Japanese would imply that he was a WW2 pilot serving in the Pacific theater when he was killed in combat.
Claim 4: His plane crashed in the water after it was shot down by the Japanese would imply that he went down in the Pacific Ocean.
and Claim 5: He was James 3, the third James, would imply that his name was James _____, jr or that his father was also named and known as James.

Couldn't one with complete lists of WW2 American and British aircraft carrier war dead come up with one and only one name using a process of elimination? How many American or British (or Australian) Navy or Marine officer pilots who were named James, jr. , who flew planes off aircraft carriers, were shot down by the Japanese in WW2? There couldn't be many, maybe only one. I'm not saying that I volunteer to undertake such a search. Just putting it out there as a possible way to unambiguously identify James's past-life personality by circumventing all the flak that Prof Sudduth throws up at this case.
 
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GuySittingintheStands said:
Clearly, Titus Rivas, prominent dutch reincarnation researcher, is somewhat unnerved about the implications of Michael Sudduth's paper:

https://twitter.com/hashtag/jamesleininger?src=hash
Click to expand...
Personally I'm not at all disconcerted by Sudduth's views. But more practically, there was due to be a serious response in a later article. I assume it is not published yet.

From your earlier post:
GuySittingintheStands said:
Apparently Dr. Tucker will have a rebuttal to Prof Sudduth's paper in the next issue of JSE (so, this spring, 2022), and Prof. Sudduth says he will have a rebuttal to the rebuttal, so this is going to go on for some time, I expect (as any good debate about an important topic should, I'm sure you'd agree).
Click to expand...
 
Dr. Jim Tucker’s rebuttal to Professor Michael Sudduth’s 2021 JSE paper (published Jan 2022 on-line) and personal web-blog article concerning Sudduth’s reexamination of the Leininger case and Professor Sudduth’s response to Dr. Tucker’s rebuttal was published today May 22, 2022 in the online journal JSE. Also included in this issue of the Journal of Scientific Exploration is an analysis by James Matlock, a noted reincarnation researcher, of the correct chronology of the James Leininger case, and his take on Tucker’s and Sudduth’s essays, rebuttals, and responses to one another:

https://www.journalofscientificexploration.org/index.php/jse/issue/view/83

---JSE 36:1 Spring 2022 (published on-line May 22, 2022). Jim Tucker: “Response to Sudduth’s ‘James Leininger Case Re-examined' ” pp. 84-90

---JSE 36:1 Spring 2022 (published on-line May 22, 2022). Michael Sudduth: “Response to Jim Tucker” pp. 91-99

---JSE 36:1 Spring 2022 (published on-line May 22, 2022). James Matlock: “Clarifying Muddied Waters, Part 1: A Secure Timeline for the James Leininger Case.” pp. 100-120.

Each article is is well worth reading and each make a valuable contribution to understanding the James Leininger case.
 
Michael Sudduth provides an example of Bruce Leininger's lack of situational awareness in the following excerpt:

From Sudduth JSE 35 (4) “The James Leininger Case Re-examined” Section 4 pp. 975-976:

“The Leiningers have provided further examples of claims they say have “dumbfounded” them. One particularly important example is an incident Bruce has regularly cited since 2009, though it was not included in Soul Survivor. On Bruce’s birthday when James was five-years old — October 7, 2003—James reportedly said to his father, “Every day is like a carrier landing. If you walk away, you’re okay.”30 This particular anecdote has gained prominence in the retelling of their story over the years. Most recently, Bruce presented this incident as important evidence in his 2021 prize-winning essay for the Bigelow Institute of Consciousness Studies. Bruce wrote: “7 October 2003—Out for a walk on my birthday with James I was talking about the tough day I’d had. James said ‘Dad, every day is like a carrier landing. If you walk away from it you are OK!’ Again, this was not a 5-year-old child speaking; it was an older soul” (Leininger, 2021, p. 16). In the 2021 documentary The Great Beyond Revealed, Bruce said the following about this incident: He knew things or was able to convey information that just dumbfounded us. One night I’d come home from a consulting day that was rather harsh. And we went for a walk around the block . . . He looked at me, and I was kind of commiserating with a three-year old, and he said “Well, Dad, every day is like a carrier landing, if you can walk away from it, you’re okay.” Huh? You have a three-year old grandson or child, is that what they tell you? (Honeywell et al., 2020, 0:18:13–0:18:56) 976 Michael Sudduth As the Leiningers exhibit elsewhere, they have a very loose connection with facts in the retelling of their story over the years. Despite how impressive this incident was in Bruce Leininger’s mind, he can’t decide whether it took place when James was three or five years old—the version of the story in the 2021 documentary is inconsistent with the version in Bruce’s 2021 BICS paper.31 The more serious problem, though, is that James’s philosophical insight has a fairly obvious ordinary source which didn’t show up on Bruce Leininger’s radar. James’s statement is found in a 2002 A&E documentary on the Corsair plane. In Battle Stations: Corsair Pacific Warrior, WW2 Corsair pilot Colonel Archie Donahue said, “Each day in life is like a carrier landing. If you can walk away from it, you’re in good shape.”32 The A&E documentary focused on the role of the Corsair in the war in the Pacific, and Donahue made his statement while discussing the difficulties of carrier landings. We know James saw the Corsair documentary. It’s the “History Channel program about Corsairs” the Leiningers admit James watched on a video tape (SS, p. 268). The Leiningers don’t give the title of the video, but since they describe a scene uniquely characteristic of the program, there’s no doubt they’re referring to the Battle Stations Corsair episode. Although they’re not clear about when James watched the tape of the program, we can establish a timeframe. The documentary first aired on December 26, 2002 on the History Channel network.33 Since James made the philosophical statement to his father on October 7, 2003, he had nine months to acquire a tape of the program and watch it repeatedly and absorb its content, even if he didn’t see it when it originally aired.34 Yet, Bruce Leininger doesn’t as much as even acknowledge that the statement he invests with such evidential value appears on the video.” [boldface added].

Here's the youtube clip: Archie Donahue. “Each day in life is like a carrier landing . . .” in Battle Stations: Corsair Pacific Warrior Documentary. 31:20 - 31:29

 
cont'd from post # 43

R – 1. ***RAFTIS, Daniel James, Jr., Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel James Raftis, Sr., 210 First Ave., NE Oelwein, Iowa (na). ***NOT INCLUDED. “Killed in Service” (rather than “Killed in Action”, ie., against enemy forces). Died at sea. Source: www.ancestry.com military records.

RICKARD, James R O, Lieutenant, O-151257, USN, from California, Mar-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + RICKARD, James, Lt, USN, Franklin CV-13, March 19, 1945 (nm) + RICKARD, James Robert Orena. Lieutenant, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Acacia Orena Rickard, Box 161, Los Alamos, Calif (na) + RICKARD, James R O, LT, 151257, Fighting Squadron 5 (USS Franklin CV-13), 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, March 19, 1945, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd March 19, 1945 (bp2)*** Father named James. Source: www.ancestry.com.

***RIVES, Clarence James, Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence James Rives, Sr., 226 N. 32d St., Camden, NJ (na). ***NOT INCLUDED. Father was called “Clarence” (not James). Source: www.ancestry.com 1930 US Census.

***ROCKE, James G, ENS, O-173567, USNR, from California, location Alaska, missing, date of loss April 27, 1944 (pm) + ROCKE, James G, Ensign, O-173567, USN, from California, Apr-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + ROCKE, James Gordon, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Bette Jean Rocke, 2515 Corquinez Ave., Richmond, Calif (na). ***NOT INCLUDED. Missing in Action location Alaska. Source: www.ancestry.com. Here’s the problem: Ensign Rocke went missing in action in April 1944, declared dead April 1945. But the Japanese were defeated and removed from their occupation of two tiny islands of the Aleutian island chain, Alaska in 1943. So not a combat death.

***ROWLAND, James Burton, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Lucille F. Rowland, 1130 Boulevard, Shreveport, La (na). ***NOT INCLUDED. Died when troop transport plane crashed near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Source: www.findagrave.com

Note to readers: What am I doing? I'm trying to see if I can come up with a very short list of US Navy carrier-based pilots who were named James (and whose father was also named James), who were shot down by the Japanese and crashed in the Pacific Ocean during WW2, using criteria from James Leininger "early bird" claims WITHOUT reference to "Natoma" or "Iwo Jima" or even "Jack Larsen/Larson", if possible. The source website I'm using for all US Navy war dead is: https://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNbyNameR.htm
 
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cont'd search for James, US Navy pilot, shot down by the Japanese (WW2), last stationed aboard a US aircraft carrier 1942 - 1945. Father was also named and known as James:

S – 4 ***SAILOR, Warren J, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-173449, USN, from Texas, Oct-45, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + SAILOR, Warren James, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Anna Josephine Sailor, Box 1616, Pampa, Tex (na) + SAILOR, Warren J, LTJG, O-173449, USNR, from Texas, USS Hornet, location Philippine Islands, missing, date of loss October 19, 1944 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. Father known as Raligh. Son known as Warren. Neither called or known or went by their middle name (James). Source: www.ancestry.com.

***SHIELDS, James A Jr, LTJG, O-130103, USNR, from Texas, USS Lexington, location Pacific Ocean: North American Area, missing, date of loss June 20, 1944 (pm) + SHIELDS, James A, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-130103, USN, from Texas, Jun-45, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + SHIELDS, James Albert, Jr., Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shields, Sr., 1628 Bissonnet, Houston, Tex (na). ***Shot down in combat. Source: https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/310619.

***SKINNER, James B, ENS, 283262, USNR, from Colorado, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss August 31, 1944 (pm) + SKINNER, James B, Ensign, O-283262, USN, from Colorado, Aug-44, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + SKINNER, James Bingham, Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Hobart Skinner, 1723 Franklin St., Denver, Colo (na)

***SPILLANE, James Deane, Lieutenant, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Alice Luise Spillane, 1027 Bellevue Court, Seattle, Wash (na) ***Killed in action during the battle for Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. (Feb 17-23, 1944, Carrier attack on Eniwetok Feb 18, 1944).
US Carriers involved: "Close air support was provided by the escort carriers USS Sangamon, Suwanee, and Chenango." Sources: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/about-us/leadership/hgram_pdfs/H-Gram_026.pdf
And https://www.newspapers.com/image/259142163/?terms="Lt. James Spillane"&match=1
***REMOVED 15 June 2022. Lt. Spillane was listed as one of the staff officers aboard the USS Kern, a US Pacific fleet gasoline/ petrol support vessel (basically a floating gas station). Source: US Navy muster rolls 1938-1949 in https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...4a9ed855&_phsrc=Dnd842&_phstart=successSource . He was not a Navy carrier-based pilot.


***SPIVEY, James, ENS, O-282893, USNR, from Arkansas, location Bonin & Volcano Islands, missing, date of loss June 16, 1944 (pm) + SPIVEY, James, Ensign, USNR. Mother. Mrs. Helen Welsh Spivey, Hamburg, Ark (Missing in action) (na) + SPIVEY, James, Ensign, O-282893, USN, from Arkansas, 1946 (WW2), Honolulu Memorial (bm). ***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (John Titus Spivey). Source: Draft Registration Card 1942: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...209acd08&_phsrc=Dnd470&_phstart=successSource

And 1930 US Census: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...9ebf6910&_phsrc=Dnd473&_phstart=successSource

***STEWART, James R, Lieutenant, O-245137, USN, from Ohio, Mar-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + STEWART, James, Lt, USN, USS Franklin CV-13, March 19, 1945 (nm) + ?STEWART, James Reese, Lieutenant, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Erma L. Stewart, c/o B. T. Stewart, Rt. 2, Easton, Kans (na) + STEWART, James R, LT, O-245137, USNR, from Ohio, USS Franklin, location Japan, missing, date of loss March 19, 1945 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Buk T. Stewart). Older staff officer (b. 1911), last duty assignment USS Franklin CV-13. PhD University of Iowa. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/423450297/?terms="James R Stewart" Lieutenant&match=1

***SWEETSER, James L, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-122160, USN, from Maine, 1946 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + SWEETSER, James Loring, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Mother, Mrs. Marion P. Battles, 28 Westminster Ave., Portland, Maine (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Based on Guadalcanal, ie., land-based, not carrier-based. Source: https://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNBPbyNameS.htm

***SYME, James W, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-130176, USN, from New Mexico, 1946 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + SYME, James William, Lieutenant (jg), Supply Corps, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Syme, 1620 E. Silver Ave., Albuquerque, NM (na) + SYME, James W, LT(JG), O-130176, USNR, from Wyoming, USS Princeton CVL-23, location Caroline Islands, missing, date of loss March 31, 1944 (pm). Source: https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/f6f/40653.html
 
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cont'd from previous post:

T -- 1 ***TEARNEY, James E, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-095571, USN, from Indiana, Aug-44, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + TEARNEY, James Edward, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Maxine Ferguson Tearney, 437 S. Pine, Indianapolis, Ind (na) + TEARNEY, James E, LTJG, O-095571, USNR, from Indiana, location Alaska, missing, date of loss August 25, 1942 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Leo Francis Tearney). Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...e0c1b70a&_phsrc=Dnd533&_phstart=successSource

***THOMPSON, James A., Lieutenant, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Annie Kirk Thompson, 6915 Oakridge Rd., College Heights, Hyattsville, Md (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Was killed in the Mediterranean when his ship was sunk. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/373586532/?terms=James A Thompson&match=1

***THURMAN, James, ENS, O-097183, USNR, from Missouri, location Indian Ocean, missing, date of loss December 15, 1945 (pm) + THURMAN, James, Ens, USN, Langley AV-3, March 1, 1942 (nm) + THURMAN, James, Ensign, O-097183, USN, from Missouri, December 1945 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + THURMAN, James, Ensign, USNR. Mother, Mrs. James Thurman, Box 142, Plattsburg, Mo (na) + THURMAN, James, ENSIGN, 97183, USS Langley (AV-3), Java Sea, February 27, 1942, (CasCode6221) missing, later dd Declared dead, dd December 15, 1945 (bp4)***NOT INCLUDED. Must have gone missing and died shortly after his carrier was attacked by Japanese aircraft on 27 Feb 1942 in the Java Sea (off of northern Australia). Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Langley_(CV-1)

TOLIVER, James E, Lieutenant, O-114839, USN, from New Mexico, 1946 (WW2), Honolulu Memorial (bm) + TOLIVER, James Edgar, Lt., USN. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Arthur Toliver, 402 N. Poplar, Wellington, Kans (na) + TOLIVER, James E, LT, O-114839, USN, from New Mexico, location Japan, missing, date of loss February 17, 1945 (pm) + TOLIVER, James E, LT, 114839, Fighting Squadron 12 (USS Randolph CV-15), Iwo Jima assault and occupation, February 17, 1945, (CasCode6222), dd February 18, 1945 (bp2)

***TOLLE, James E, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-346984, USN, from Indiana, Jun-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + TOLLE, James Edwin, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Mother, Mrs. Pauline Tolle, 729 N. Emerson Ave., Indianapolis, Ind (na) + TOLLE, James E, LTJG, O-346984, USNR, from Indiana, USS Wasp (CV-18), location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss June 18, 1945 (pm)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Emmett S. Tolle). Source: Birth Certificate. https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin...FMEX30*MTY1NDAxODM0MC4xOS4xLjE2NTQwMTg2MzQuMA..

U -- 0

V -- 0 ***VAN BUREN, John J, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-081539, USN, from Wisconsin, Jun-43, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + VANBUREN, John, Lt(jg), USN, Enterprise CV-6, June 4, 1942 (nm) + VAN BUREN, John James, Lieutenant (jg), USN. Wife, Mrs. Sally M. Van Buren, 1409 Hoover Ct., Alameda, Calif (na) + VAN BUREN, John J, LTJG, O-081539, USN, from Wisconsin, location Midway Island, missing, date of loss June 4, 1942 (pm) + VAN BUREN, John J, LTJG, 81539, Bombing Squadron 6 (USS Enterprise), Midway, June 4, 1942, (CasCode6222), dd June 5, 1943 (bp2)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (Irvin Charles Van Buren). Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...89ca5df9&_phsrc=Dnd546&_phstart=successSource
 
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cont'd from previous post:

W – 1 ***WAINWRIGHT, James A Jr, ENS, O-130625, USNR, from California, location Alaska, missing, date of loss December 23, 1943 (pm) + WAINWRIGHT, James A, Ensign, O-130625, USN, from California, Dec-43, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + WAINWRIGHT, James Albert, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Albert Wainwright, Sr., 80 Woodland Way, Piedmont, Calif (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Went missing after Japanese were removed from the two small Aleutian Islands, Alaska that they occupied (June 3, 1942-Aug 15, 1943), so not a combat death.

***WALKER, James W, ENSIGN, 130673, Fighting Squadron 27 (USS Independence), New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation, July 1, 1943, (CasCode6222), dd January 7, 1946 (bp2)***James Wendel Walker (www.google.com). ***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (David Burnett Walker). Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...99d6def1&_phsrc=Dnd518&_phstart=successSource

***WARING, James H, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-116690, USN, from New York, 1946 (WW2), Manila American Cemetery (bm) + WARING, James Harold, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Mother, Mrs. Margaret Waring, 8549 96th St., Woodhaven, NY (na) + WARING, James H, LT(JG), O-116690, USNR, from New York, location Solomon Islands, missing, date of loss July 18, 1943 (pm) + WARING, James H, LTJG, 116690, Fighting Squadron 26, New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation, July 18, 1943, (CasCode6222), dd January 7, 1946 (bp2)***NOT INCLUDED. Father named James, but son known as Harold. Source: 1920,1930, and 1940 US Censuses. www.ancestry.com.

WATTS, James W, ENS, O-382417, USNR, from Wisconsin, USS Hornet [CV-12], location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss May 3, 1945 (pm) + WATTS, James W, Ensign, O-382417, USN, from Wisconsin, Jun-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + WATTS, James William, Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James White Watts, 645 Grvoe St., Neenah, Wis (na)

***WESCOTT, Harold J, ENS, O-407711, USNR, from California, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss February 11, 1945 (pm) + WESCOTT, Harold J, Ensign, O-407711, USN, from California, Feb-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + WESCOTT, Harold James, Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank James Wescott, P.O. Box 342, Gardena, Calif (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Known as Harold, not James. Source: 1930 US Census. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...0485eec9&_phsrc=Dnd491&_phstart=successSource

***WHALEY, James D, ENS, O-250562, USNR, from Arkansas, location New Hebrides, missing, date of loss December 7, 1943 (pm) + WHALEY, James D, Ensign, O-250562, USN, from Arkansas, Dec-43, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + WHALEY, James Douglas, Ensign, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Marie Alsobrook Whaley, 304 W. Matthews St., Jonesboro, Ark (na)***NOT INCLUDED. Father not named James (William F. Whaley). Source: 1940 US Census. www.ancestry.com

***WOODS, James J, LT, 121906, Fighting Squadron 90 (USS Enterprise), 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, May 2, 1945, (CasCode6222), dd May 3, 1946 (bp2)***NOT INCLUDED. On May 2, 1945, Fighting Squadron (USS Enterprise) was not yet in action which wouldn’t be until May 7th in or around Okinawa, so not a combat death. Source: http://www.cv6.org/ship/logs/vfn90/default.htm

XYZ – 1 YEARSLEY, James R Jr, ENS, O-403418, USNR, from Pennsylvania, location Marianas Islands, missing, date of loss March 21, 1945 (pm) + YEARSLEY, James R, Ensign, O-403418, USN, from Pennsylvania, 1946 (WW2), Honolulu Memorial (bm) + YEARSLEY, James Raymond, Jr., Ensign, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Raymond Yearsley, Sr., 342 W. Logan St., Philadelphia, Pa (na)***ADDED 15 June 2022. USS Bennington (CV-20) Source: US Navy Muster Rolls 1938-1949 in https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...os=4&queryId=6d82e21a7ec1064cbbdba1e5bfd13f3c

Results: I count a total of 22 US Navy pilots named and known as "James" from 13 named US aircraft carriers, who were shot down or presumably shot down by the Japanese during WW2, who were stationed aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific at time of death, and whose father was also named and known as James. If James Leininger intended to indicate that he was the son of a man named and known as James by signing his drawings "James 3", then, so far, any one of these downed US Navy aircraft carrier WW2 pilots would be a candidate for his past-life personality.

How do we winnow it down to one best candidate? I think you have to bring "Jack Larsen" who JL said was a friend and fellow pilot (p.79 Soul Survivor), into the picture.


 
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Summary Results so far. WW2 US Navy pilots named James whose father was also named and known as James, who were shot down or presumably shot down by the Japanese, the aircraft carrier stationed on at time of death, date and location of death.

BOIES, James R, ENSIGN, 145950, Fighting Squadron 5, USS Yorktown, Wake Island raid, October 6, 1943
CALDWELL, James E Jr, ENS, O-114415, USNR, USS Enterprise, location Solomon Islands, missing, date of loss October 26, 1942
CONNERS, James R Jr, ENS, O-301602, USNR, USS White Plains, location Philippine Sea, missing, date of loss October 25, 1944
DARRACOTT, James C, LTJG, 301611, Fighting Squadron 20, USS Lexington, later Luzon operations, December 14, 1944
***HAGAN, James T, ENSIGN, 395846, Torpedo Squadron 84, USS Bunker Hill, 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, May 11, 1945***REMOVED 06 June 2022. KIA but not "shot down by the Japanese." Killed when Japanese kamikazies struck his aircraft carrier. See post # 54.
HAWKINS, James I, ENS, O-305999, USNR, , USS Bunker Hill, location Philippine Islands, missing, date of loss November 13, 1944
HUSTON, James M Jr, LTJG, O-306452, USNR, USS Natoma Bay, location Central/South Pacific Theater, missing, date of loss March 3, 1945
MCCALLEN, James L Jr, LT, O-106042, USNR, USS Hancock, location Japan, missing, date of loss October 10, 1944
MCPHERSON, James H, Lieutenant Commander, O-100312, USN, USS Randolph, Squadron VF-16, location Japan, missing, date of loss August 13, 1944
MCVEIGH, John J, ENS, O-368480, USNR, USS Hornet, location Central/South Pacific Theater, missing, date of loss November 3, 1944
MILLER, James Dorn, Lieutenant (Jg), USNR.
***O'DONNELL, Richard J, Lieutenant, O-106637, USN,, location Solomon Islands, missing, date of loss March 22, 1944. ***REMOVED June 10, 2022. Not known as James. He had an older brother named James Bernard O’Donnell (jr.). Source: https://www.findagrave.com
OWENS, James C Jr, LT, O-075974, USN, , missing, date of loss June 4, 1942 (pm) USS Hornet, June 4, 1942
PATTERSON, James Franklin, Lieutenant Commander, USNR. Missing in the Pacific. April 1945
***RICKARD, James R O, Lieutenant, O-151257, USN, USS Franklin, died of wounds, Okinawa, March 19, 1945***REMOVED June 8, 2022. KIA on flight deck as a result of a Japanese fighter bomber attack. See post # 55.
SHIELDS, James A Jr, LTJG, O-130103, USNR, from Texas, USS Lexington, location Pacific Ocean: North American Area, missing, date of loss June 20, 1944
SKINNER, James B, ENS, 283262, USNR, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss August 31, 1944
***SPILLANE, James Deane, Lieutenant, USNR. KIA during the battle for Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands, USS Sangamon or USS Suwanee, or USS Chenang.***REMOVED 15 June 2022. On 31 Oct 1943 Lt Spillane was listed as a staff officer aboard the USS Kern, a gasoline/ petrol support vessel in the US Pacific Fleet. So he was not a US Navy carrier-based pilot. See post # 50.
SYME, James W, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-130176, USN, USS Princeton, location Caroline Islands, missing, date of loss March 31, 1944
TOLIVER, James E, Lieutenant, O-114839, USN, location Japan, missing, date of loss February 17, 1945 (pm), Fighting Squadron 12 , USS Randolph,, Iwo Jima assault and occupation, February 17, 1945
WATTS, James W, ENS, O-382417, USNR, USS Hornet, location Pacific Ocean, missing, date of loss May 3, 1945
YEARSLEY, James R Jr, ENS, O-403418, USNR, location Marianas Islands, missing, date of loss March 21, 1945, USS Bennington (see post # 52).

Named aircraft carriers:
USS Bennington
USS Bunker Hill
USS Chenang (REMOVED June 15, 2022. See post # 50)
USS Enterprise
USS Franklin (REMOVED June 8, 2022. See post # 55)
USS Hancock
USS Hornet
USS Lexington
USS Natoma Bay
USS Princeton
USS Randolph
USS Sangamon (REMOVED June 15, 2022. See post # 50)
USS Suwanee (REMOVED June 15, 2022. See post # 50)
USS Yorktown
USS White Plains
 
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Search for Larsen/ Larson among the WW2 US Navy war dead :

LARSEN, Charles T, Lieutenant, O-121787, USN, from Idaho, May-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + LARSEN, Charles Theodore, Lt., USN. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peter Larsen, 813 Shoshone No., Twin Falls, Idaho (na) + LARSEN, Charles T, LT, 121787, Fighting [Torpedo] Squadron 84 (USS Bunker Hill CV-17), 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, May 11, 1945, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd May 11, 1945 (bp2)

Matches HAGAN, James T, ENSIGN, 395846, Torpedo Squadron 84, USS Bunker Hill, 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, May 11, 1945


LARSON, Raymond V, Jr, LTJG, 320502, Fighting [Torpedo] Squadron 84 (USS Bunker Hill CV-17), 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, May 11, 1945, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd May 11, 1945 (bp2) + LARSON, Raymond V, Lieutenant Junior Grade, O-320502, USN, from Wisconsin, May-45, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + LARSON, Raymond, Lt(jg) USN, Bunker Hill CV-17, May 11, 1945 (nm) + LARSON, Raymond Victor, Jr., Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Wife, Mrs. Eilean Sutton Larson, 517 S. Harriet St., Stillwater, Minn (na)


Matches: Matches HAGAN, James T, ENSIGN, 395846, Torpedo Squadron 84, USS Bunker Hill, 3rd and 5th Fleet Raids in support of Okinawa Gunto operation, May 11, 1945


BUT: These 3 pilots were not shot down by the Japanese! They, along with 7 other American pilots, were killed when 2 Japanese kamikazies struck their aircraft carrier on 11 May 1945:

“On 7 April VT-84 made its first all torpedo load mission, against a large enemy task force, nine torpedo hits were observed on the BB [Battleship] Yamato out of 13 torpedoes dropped. One plane was shot down before reaching the release point. Despite adverse weather conditions and no fighter support and much anti-aircraft fire of all calibres this attack mission is the highlight of the VT-84 combat tour.

"Airstrikes and support flights continued through 11 May when Bunker Hill was struck and badly damaged by two bomb-carrying kamikazies. VT-84 lost 15 planes, 10 pilots, and 16 men. The heavily damaged Bunker Hill arrived at Pearl Harbor on 25 May.” Source:

https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/fo...vt-84-torpedo-squadron-eighty-four-wolf-gang/

GSITS: Ensign James T. Hagan, Torpedo Squadron 84, USS Bunker Hill, was killed May 11, 1945 in combat when 2 Japanese kamikazies struck his aircraft carrier and killed a total of 10 American pilots, among them Ensign Hagan. Since Ensign Hagan was not "shot down by the Japanese" he should be removed from the list of candidate past-life personalities in the previous post.
 
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Concerning RICKARD, James R O, Lieutenant, O-151257, USN, USS Franklin, died of wounds, Okinawa, March 19, 1945
He most likely died from wounds suffered as a result of explosions and fires aboard the USS Franklin, March 19, 1945 after it was attacked by a single Japanese fighter bomber dropping 2 x 500 lb bombs on its flight deck.

see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Franklin_(CV-13)


“19 March 1945

Before dawn on 19 March 1945, Franklin, which had maneuvered to within 50 miles (80 km) of the Japanese mainland, closer than any other U.S. carrier during the war, launched a fighter sweep against Honshū [Japan’s main island] and later a strike against shipping in Kure Harbor. …. A single Japanese aircraft approached Franklin without being detected by American forces. As Franklin was about halfway through launching a second wave of strike aircraft, the Japanese bomber pierced the cloud cover and dropped two [500 pound] semi-armor-piercing bombs before the ship's anti-aircraft gunners could fire….

….. At the time she was struck, Franklin had 31 armed and fueled aircraft warming up on her flight deck, and these planes caught fire almost immediately. The 13 to 16 tons of high explosives aboard these planes soon began detonating progressively, …. The hangar deck contained planes, of which 16 were fueled and 5 were armed. The forward gasoline system had been secured, but the aft system was operating. The explosion on the hangar deck ignited the fuel tanks on the aircraft, and a gasoline vapor explosion devastated the deck. …..When totaling casualty figures for both Franklin cruises numbers increase to 924 killed in action, the worst for any surviving U.S. warship …… Among those evacuated were the surviving members of the embarked Air Group 5, who were deemed nonexpendable.[20] 32 Vought F4U Corsair fighters, 15 Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, 7 Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, and 5 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters, 59 planes total, were destroyed by the Japanese attack.[21]……. Franklin's planes which had been in the air when the carrier was hit landed aboard the other carriers in the task group, although it was necessary to push some planes overboard to make room for them.[8] “

Members of USS Franklin’s Air Group 5 killed in action (KIA) 19 March 1945 (68 personnel including Lt. James R O Rickard):
https://ussfranklin.org/killed-in-action/air-group-5-kia-2/

Bottom line: Lt James Rickard most likely was NOT "shot down by the Japanese", but instead died as a result of wounds suffered aboard the carrier USS Franklin while waiting to launch his aircraft on its flight deck the morning of 19 March 1945. He was not "shot down". He died as a result of the attack on his carrier (the Franklin) before he was able to take off. So I think he should be removed from the candidate list.
 
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The US Navy wasn't the only branch of the military flying fighter aircraft off of aircraft carriers. The US Marines also had a few select squadrons who served aboard aircraft carriers in the period 1944-1945. But not a whole lot. For one thing, the Navy wouldn't let the Marines fly off Navy carriers on a permanent basis until Oct 1944 (a few temporarily before that, esp. 1944). Most of the Marine aviator squadrons were land based, not carrier based, so they took off from airfields not carriers. I've been through the data for WW2 US Marine war dead listed on the same site as the US Navy war dead lists, https://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USMCbyNameB.htm .

After going through the lists of US Marine WW2 war dead by using the search term MAG (Marine Aircraft Group) to highlight candidates letter by letter A - Z and picking the potential pilots with first name James, and sorting through all the names and eliminating, for example, land-based marine flyers, flyers named James but father's not named (and known as) James, flyers killed but not actually "shot down by the Japanese", etc.

So here is my list of US Marine WW2 war dead who fit all of our criteria:

***CURRAN, Michael J, Jr, 14765, VMF311, MAG31, 4thMBDAW, FMF, Marshall Is, July 30, 1944, killed in action (mc) + CURRAN, Michael J, Captain, O-014765, USMC, from Mississippi, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + CURRAN, Michael J., Jr., Captain, USMCR. Wife, Mrs. Michael J. Curran, Jr., 312 North St., Yazoo City, Miss (na)*** J stands for James. Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryu...d7a3562f&_phsrc=Dnd565&_phstart=successSource
[USS Nassau?] Was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire in the Marshalls Islands and lost 30 July 1944. Source: https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/A History of Marine Attack Squadron 311 PCN 19000308000_1.pdf ***REMOVED (09 June 2022). Father (and most likely son) not known as James (“Mike J”). Source: 1940 US Census. www.ancestry.com

FLING, James L., Captain, USMCR. Wife, Mrs. James Libby Fling [Jane], 1827 S. Parkway E. Memphis, Tenn (na) + FLING, James Libby, 11261, VMF216, MAG44, 3rdMAW, FMF, Pacific area, February 14, 1945, killed in action (mc) + FLING, James Libby, Captain, O-011261, USMC, from California, Honolulu Memorial (bm) + FLING, James L, CAPT, O-011261, USMC, from California, location Pacific Ocean, date of loss February 14, 1945 (pm)*** Carrier-based [USS Wasp – Source: VMF-216 wikipedia].
Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/769603244/?terms="James L Fling"&match=1 KIA Okinawa. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/797966592/?terms="James L Fling"&match=1

TURNER, James G, 2DLT, O-032712, USMC, from Arkansas, location Pacific Ocean: North American Area, date of loss March 19, 1945 (pm) + TURNER, James G., 2d Lieutenant, USMCR. Wife. Mrs. James G. Turner, 725 S. 47th St., San Diego, Calif (na) + TURNER, James Gordon, 32712, VMF451, MAG42, FMF, March 19, 1945, killed in action (mc) + TURNER, James Gordon, Second Lieutenant, O-032712, USMC, from Arkansas, Honolulu Memorial (bm)*** Stationed on an aircraft carrier [USS Bunker Hill]. Pilot. Source: https://www.springdalear.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2978/Turner-James-newspaper-clipping?bidId=
Source for the Bunker Hill: https://www.seaforces.org/usmcair/VMFA/VMFA-451.htm

That' it. 2 US Marine fighter pilots who fit all our criteria.

I can produce the names (21 in all) that I excluded based on the individual citations and my research if anyone is interested.
 
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All U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 results for Jack Larsen in www.ancestry.com military records:

Name Birth Date Death Date Branch

Jack G Larsen 8 Jun 1920 18 May 1996 ARMY

Ervin Jack Larsen 2 Mar 1920 26 Aug 1996 ARMY

Jack L Larsen 8 Jun 1919 18 Dec 1988 ARMY

Jack H Larsen 19 Dec 1919 25 Aug 1991 ARMY

***Jack Kirby Larsen 8 Jul 1919 25 Mar 1986 Unstated***REMOVED. Army Air Corps. 1st Lt. Pilot. POW Germany 1944-1945. Source: https://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/103213

Jack D Larsen 30 Nov 1921 11 Sep 2001 ARMY

Jack Robert Larsen 21 Nov 1922 4 Dec 1984 ARMY

Jack A Larsen 24 Nov 1923 5 Nov 2009 NAVY (Ship?). LCDR USN World War II, Korea [Lt. Commander, US Navy] on gravestone. b. Kansas City, MO. Jack Aubertin Larsen. Naval aviator. Flew missions in the South Pacific and Korea. 22 years in the Navy. Discharged 1964. www.findagrave.com . Obituary www.newspapers.com. Residences include Springdale, Arkansas. Spouse Dorothy Delores Larsen. The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA) 25 Nov 2009, p.26.

Jack D Larsen 19 Nov 1923 5 Feb 1976 ARMY

***Jack D Larsen 30 Oct 1923 10 Feb 1987 NAVY ***REMOVED.
Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Petty Officer, USS Dobbin (Destroyer Tender) as of
31 Dec 1944, not a US Navy pilot. Source: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/22047629:1143


Jack Ellsworth Larsen 27 Feb 1924 30 Sep 2008 ARMY

***Jack A Larsen 24 Jul 1924 2 May 2006 Unstated***REMOVED.
WW2 NAVY. Obituary - https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/jack-larsen-obituary?id=29946076
US Navy muster rolls 1938- 1949 – Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer 3rd class, Chicago, Illinois, USS Arayat (petroleum / fuel oil tanker), as of 05 Mar 1945. Not a WW2 US Navy pilot.

Jack Larsen 23 Jan 1924 25 Dec 1976 ARMY

Jack Joseph Larsen 2 Jul 1926 13 Feb 2004 ARMY

Jack J Larsen 20 Oct 1913 6 Nov 1996 Unstated***REMOVED. Col. Jack James Larsen. Implies non-Navy career. Buried Tulsa, OK. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/47539427:60525 and www.findagrave.com

Jack Oliver Larsen 28 Mar 1927 11 Sep 1991 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Too young to have finished Navy pilot training by summer of 1945.

Jack Larsen 15 Sep 1928 13 Dec 1978 ARMY

Andrew Jack Larsen 11 Sep 1924 28 May 1980 ARMY

BIRLS stands for Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem, a Veterans Benefits Administration database that provides information on deceased individuals including name, birth and death dates, branch of service, and enlistment and release dates

next: same thing with "Jack Larson"
 
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All U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 results for Jack Larson in www.ancestry.com military records:

Name Birth Date Death Date Branch

Jack F Larson 19 Sep 1921 4 Aug 1974 ARMY

Jack R Larson 19 Sep 1921 5 Sep 1988 ARMY

***Jack L Larson 29 Jan 1921 4 Aug 2010 NAVY ***REMOVED. Navy Ensign as of 01 Jan 1943. Jack Lionel Larson, b. Chicago, IL, 29 Jan 1921. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/107717747:60525 Buried Jacksonville, FL. In 1946, dentist Jack L Larson (Dr. Jack L Larson formerly Navy Lt. Jack L Larson, back from the Central Pacific Theater after 3 years of service). www. Newspapers.com The Daily Calumet (Chicago, IL), 25 Sept 1946, p.1 [ie., He was a Navy dentist, not a Navy pilot].

Jack W Larson 12 Jun 1918 30 Dec 1989 ARMY

Jack W Larson 18 Dec 1918 28 Feb 1992 AAC (Army Air Corps)

Jack M Larson 1 Oct 1922 8 Nov 2007 ARMY

***Jack E Larson 18 Jun 1922 13 Apr 2010 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. 2010 Obituary – “He served in the Army Air Corps as a pilot from 1943-1945 during WWII.” https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/register-mail/name/jack-e-larson-obituary?pid=141831345 Lt. Jack E. Larson. www.newspapers.com SanAngelo Standard Times (San Angelo, TX) 24 June 1944, p.6.

Jack M Larson 12 Jun 1922 27 Aug 1986 MARINES

Jack Larson 22 Jul 1922 18 Mar 1980 ARMY

***Jack Walter Larson 4 May 1917 8 Jul 2002 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Storekeeper 3rd Class, USS Samuel N. Moore (Destroyer) as of 31 Dec 1944. Not a US Navy pilot. US Navy muster rolls, 1938-1949.

Jack B Larson 29 Mar 1917 28 Jul 1986 ARMY

Jack J Larson 1 Aug 1923 26 May 1981 ARMY

***Jack Lane Larson 13 Jan 1923 24 Aug 1990 NAVY (Ship?)***REMOVED. Electrician’s Mate 1st Class, USS Donald W. Wolf (Fast Transport Vessel) as of 14 Apr 1945, not a US Navy pilot. US Navy muster rolls, 1938-1949.

Jack Q Larson 3 Apr 1924 10 Dec 1980 ARMY

Jack Larson 12 Sep 1924 29 Oct 2002 ARMY

***Jack E Larson 13 Jun 1924 4 Sep 1984 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Seaman 2nd Class, USS Stanly (Destroyer) as of 9 Aug 1943. Not a US Navy pilot. US Navy muster rolls, 1938-1949.

Jack D Larson 21 Nov 1925 10 Sep 1997 ARMY

***Jack Keith Larson 30 Jun 1925 3 Mar 2006 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. 1950 US Census “Service Station Attendent”. Radarman Petty Officer 3rd Class, www.findagrave. Not a US Navy pilot.

Jack E Larson 16 Apr 1925 9 Sep 2008 ARMY

***Jack Evans Larson 3 Sep 1915 11 May 1977 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Boatswain’s Mate Chief Petty Officer. USS Chenango (fleet oiler converted to escort aircraft carrier in 1942), USS Philadelphia (light cruiser), USS SC 1061 (sub chaser), USS SC 664 (sub chaser). Iowa, US,World War 2 Bonus Case Files, 1947 – 1954.

***Jack Larson 3 May 1926 8 Jun 2008 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Jack [None] Larson, F2c (Fireman 2nd Class), Service No. 406-98-84. – 2008 Obituary -- http://hosting-7578.tributes.com/obituary/show/Jack-Larson-88037444
“Jack worked was a police officer and then a fireman for the Village of Dolton, Ill. He retired as the fire chief in 1988, after 36 years of service.”


Jack Robert Larson 6 May 1927 9 Mar 1980 ARMY

***Jack E Larson 27 Aug 1927 27 Oct 1998 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Too young to have finished Navy pilot training by summer of 1945.

***Jack Duane Larson 2 Mar 1928 13 Dec 2009 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Too young to have finished Navy pilot training by summer of 1945.

***Jack William Larson 31 Mar 1928 2 Aug 1985 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Too young to have finished Navy pilot training by summer of 1945.

***Jack W Larson 18 Apr 1911 19 Jul 2006 NAVY (Ship?) ***REMOVED. Machinist 1st Class, USS Jason (repair ship) as of 31 Mar 1945.

***Jack E Larson 9 Sep 1929 26 Nov 1978 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. Too young to have finished Navy pilot training by summer of 1945.

***Donald Jack Larson 13 Aug 1921 22 Jul 1976 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. Known as Donald J. Larson (not Jack)1930, 1940 US Census. Lt (jg) US Navy.WW2 on gravestone. www.findagrave.com

***Donald Jack Larson 27 Sep 1926 28 Apr 1989 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. "DC2 WW2" on gravestone = Damage Controlman Petty Officer 2nd Class (not US Navy pilot)
www.findagrave.com
 
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"Jack" as a nickname was and is sometimes used for the given name "John".

Consequently we have to include the VA BIRLS results for John Larsen (and Larson).

All U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 results for John Larsen in www.ancestry.com military records:

Name (73 from all branches) Birth Date Death Date Branch (Unstated and Navy Only)

***John L Larsen 9 Aug 1920 9 Jan 2007 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. Enlisted in the US ARMY, 10 Aug 1942, as a private. www.ancestry.com

***John D Larsen 30 Jul 1920 2 Sep 2003 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. Army National Guard. Chief Warrant Officer 3. Enlisted US Army 23 Sept 1944 as a private. US, Army Enlistment Records, 1938 – 1946.

***John C Larsen 21 Nov 1919 29 Jan 2008 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. John Clark Larsen. www.findagrave.com. “Jack Clark Larsen” US, WW2 Draft Card. Marriage announcement (11 Jan 1947). Former Marine Sergeant.

***John L Larsen 23 May 1921 24 Nov 1970 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. b New York City, NY. Enlisted New York National Guard, Hq Battery 105th Field Artillery,

John H Larsen 24 May 1922 20 Apr 2010 UNSTATED Commander, US NAVY WW2 Korea on gravestone. www.findagrave.com

***John E Larsen 22 Apr 1918 5 Jan 1994 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. Nickname “Johny” not “Jack”. Enlistment date 9 Sept 1942. John Edgar Larsen. Dec 1936 name listed as JOHNY Larsen. WW2 Draft Card listed name as JOHNY Edgar Larsen.

***John Larsen 12 Apr 1917 21 Apr 1995 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. b. Chicago, IL. John Norman Larsen. WW2 Draft Card. Obituary. Captain Army Air Corps.

***John E Larsen 15 Jun 1923 19 Mar 1993 NAVY (SHIP?) ***REMOVED. b. Perth Amboy, NJ, John Edward Larsen. www.ancestry.com, US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936 – 2007. Marriage Announcement, The Central New Jersey Home News (New Brunswick, NJ) 17 June 1951, p.18. F3c (Fireman 3rd Class),

***John Larsen 16 Jul 1916 18 Jan 1990 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. WW2 Merchant Marine veteran.

???John P Larsen 31 Dec 1916 18 Oct 1981 NAVY (SHIP?) Only 1 John P Larsen listed in US Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949, a Radio Technician 2nd Class Petty Officer.

***John Jacob Larsen 26 Mar 1924 15 Feb 1975 UNSTATED
***REMOVED. S1 US NAVY [Seaman 1st Class] on gravestone. www.findagrave

***John F Larsen 27 Nov 1925 25 Aug 2003 UNSTATED***REMOVED. PHM3 US NAVY WW2 [Pharmacist 3rd Class] on gravestone. www.findagrave.com

***John Larsen 6 Oct 1915 9 Jan 1986 UNSTATED Not Enough Info

***John B Larsen 9 Jun 1915 9 Jul 1975 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. Marriage announcement. US Army Sgt. John B Larsen, m. 14 Sept 1945 in NJ.

***John W Larsen 23 Jun 1915 10 Jul 1982 UNSTATED***REMOVED.
Enlisted 14 June 1945.

***John R Larsen 24 Sep 1925 19 Mar 2004 NAVY (SHIP?) ***REMOVED. S1 US NAVY World War II on gravestone (Seaman 1st Class). www.findagrave.com

John W Larsen 7 Sep 1914 11 Mar 1990 NAVY (SHIP?) [1943-1946] ***National Guard. Enlistment Place Teaneck, NJ. 24 May 1940. b. New York, NY. Wife’s name Elynor Waterhouse Larsen. WW2 Draft Card. John Walter Larsen.

***John K Larsen 6 Jan 1926 1 Jun 1997 NAVY (SHIP?)***REMOVED.
Enlisted 4 NOV 1951.

John J Larsen 8 Mar 1914 10 Feb 1990 NAVY (SHIP?) b. St. John, New Brunswick, Canada d. Quincy MASS. John Joseph Larsen.US Social Security Applications and Claims Index. Naturalized American citizen 1941. Wife Mary Elizabeth Larsen.

John T Larsen 13 May 1926 3 Nov 2001 UNSTATED b. John Taylor Larsen in Riverside Bi/ Groveland/ Blackfoot, Idaho. US NAVY 1944-1946.

***John D Larsen 1 Jun 1926 23 Mar 2008 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. b. John David Larsen in Crystal Falls, Michigan. Served in the US ARMY during WW2. Obituary. Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI) 02 Apr 2008, p.9.

***John H Larsen 28 Jun 1911 27 Oct 1990 NAVY (SHIP?) ***REMOVED. Obituary. b. John Helge Larsen in Brooklyn, NY. “Served in the US Navy during the D-Day invasion.” The Record (Hackensack, NJ), 29 Oct 1990, p. 25.

***Oscar John Larsen 17 Oct 1919 9 Sep 1980 NAVY (SHIP?) ***REMOVED. b. in Bridger, MT. F1 US Navy World War II on gravestone. Fireman 1st Class. www.findagrave.com

***Lyle John Larsen 14 Dec 1918 18 May 1993 NAVY (SHIP?) NAVY ***REMOVED. b. in Alexander, IA. Known as “Lyle” (not John or Jack). Obituary of his mother: Louella Larsen, Globe-Gazette (Mason City, Iowa), 10 June 1971, p.10. MOMM2 US Navy World War II on gravestone (Motor Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class) www.findagrave.com

***Philip John Larsen 24 Aug 1925 11 Oct 1981 UNSTATED ***REMOVED. b. in Elroy Juneau, Wisconsin. CPL US ARMY World War II on gravestone (Corporal US Army). www.findagrave.com

***Chris John Larsen 5 Nov 1925 5 Mar 2002 NAVY (SHIP?) ***REMOVED. b. in Mesa, AZ. Home in 1940. Seattle, WA. F2c (Fireman 2nd Class) USS LST(6) Group 80 muster date 01 Nov 1944. US Navy muster rolls, 1938-1949.
 
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What can we say about “Jack Larsen/Larson”, the pilot that 2-and-a-half-year-old James Leininger named as the other man in his “dream”, ie., the Airplane crash on fire, little man can’t get out dream:

From Soul Surivor, The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot, Leininger and Leininger, Ken Gross, 2009, pp.78-79:

“Can you remember anyone else in the dream?” asked Andrea [James’s mother]. “Any friends?” [boldface added]

James concentrated for a moment; then his face lit up and he said, “Jack!” . . . .

“Do you remember Jack’s last name?” asked Andrea.

And then James said, very clearly, “Larsen. It was Jack Larsen.” . . . .

“Was Jack James’s friend?”

And James replied, “He was a pilot, too.” [ie., just like me, a pilot who flew off boats] [bold face added].

GSITS: Whoever this Jack Larsen fellow might have been he was with James’s past-life personality when his past-life personality's plane was hit by enemy fire, catching fire, before crashing into the water seconds later. Since he was a fellow pilot, he must have been in a separate plane, as the one James’s past-life personality crashed in. This is a point everyone seems to have missed. If Jack Larsen was on the same sortie as James’s past-life personality (he was in the same Airplane-crash-on-fire dream), he, too, must have been a fellow US Navy pilot during WW2 in the Pacific. Since he was at least an acquaintance (“friend”) he was known by James’s past-life personality, which meant, judging by how work-related acquaintance/ friend-circles work (then as now), he most likely was a member of the same Navy fighter squadron as James’s past-life personality. Both would have been serving aboard the same aircraft carrier at the time of little James’s past-life personality’s death.

You can go over the list of US Navy war dead for any “Jack/ John Larsen/ Larson” https://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNbyNameL.htm (or US Marine war dead https://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USMCbyNameL.htm , for that matter) , but none of these Larsen/ Larsons (Jack or John) fit our criteria (US Navy (or Marine) pilot serving aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific during World War 2).

So whoever this US Navy pilot Jack/John Larsen/Larson was, he must have survived the war.
 
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How did Bruce Leininger find out that “Jack Larsen/Larson” served aboard the World War II escort carrier USS Natoma Bay?

Bruce had done a google search for the name “Natoma” as early as 27 August 2000, apparently after his son told him that his plane took off from a “boat”. Bruce asked him the name of the boat and 2 ½ year old James said, or rather, what Bruce and Andrea understood him as saying (after several tries): “Natoma”. Bruce’s google search led to the name of a World War II escort aircraft carrier named “Natoma Bay.” Several weeks later (05 Oct 2000 according to Jim Matlock’s timeline), Andrea asked James if there was anyone else “in the dream” (James’s Airplane crash on fire dream). James told her, “Jack” … “Jack Larsen”. “He was a pilot, too”. Sometime later that fall of 2000, Bruce ran internet searches on Jack Larsen but without success. He couldn’t establish whether this Jack Larsen, assuming he was even a real person, was killed or had survived the war (Soul Survivor, p.87), or had served aboard an aircraft carrier.

Finally, Bruce found the website of the Escort Carriers Sailors’ and Airmen’s Association, from which he collected four names. The text in Soul Survivor (pp. 97-100) doesn’t mention that the names (presumably names of WW2 veterans who had served aboard US Navy escort carriers) were associated with any particular carriers. (HOWEVER, Bruce mentions in a recent youtube interview/ 01 July 2022/ that the four names and corresponding contact information were associated with a Natoma Bay escort carrier reunion group listed on the Escort Carriers Sailors' and Airmen's Association website from that time.)

We pick up the text on p.97:

“ . . . he found the Escort Carriers Sailors’ and Airmen’s Association, plucked four names off that Web site, and began to make blind phone calls. One number was disconnected. Another member of the group he sought was in the hospital, dying. A third never answered. The fourth was Leo Pyatt. . .”

The text doesn’t say whether Bruce called Leo because he thought Leo might know who served aboard the Natoma Bay or whether he (Bruce) knew Leo himself had served aboard the Natoma Bay (perhaps from a reference on the website). It just says Bruce called four members of the association, presumably hoping to find information on planes and air crews of the Natoma Bay.

It turns out Leo Pyatt had served aboard the Natoma Bay. And what’s more, he had been an aviation radarman who flew on the carrier’s TBM Avenger aircraft with the carrier’s VC-81 squadron.

Out of the blue, Bruce asked him (Leo) (Soul Survivor, p.100):

“Can you tell me anything about a guy named Jack Larsen?”

He [Leo] didn’t even pause.

“Oh, yeah. I remember Jack. We never saw him again.”

“How do you mean?”

“He flew off one day and we never saw him again.”

GSITS: What are the odds that Bruce was able to connect with, not only a member of the association who served aboard the aircraft carrier Natoma Bay, but a member of the association who had served in an aviation squadron (VC-81) with a pilot named Jack Larsen? On the Natoma Bay. 55 years after the war. Go figure.
 
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