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This Remembrance Profile was originally created by Sgt Stephen Willcox - Deceased
Contact Info
Home Town Terrell
Last Address Bryan, Brazos County, Texas
Date of Passing Jun 19, 2007
Location of Interment Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (VA) - San Antonio, Texas
The website http://www.ejection-history.org indicates that Lt. Col. James R. Witt, USAF, was flying an F-84E Thunderjet (51-552) on October 12, 1951 with the 182nd Fighter Bomber Squadron, 136th Fighter Bomber Wing, when his aircraft was hit by AAA; there were reported flames; he ejected, and was alive on the ground. The KORWALD Loss Incident Summary database (http://www.dtic.mil) also reflects that Lt. Col. Witt was hit by AAA; reported flames, successful bail out and alive on the ground.
Lt. Colonel was a Prisoner of War at Pyok-Dong for approximately two years. (Source: Korean War Prisoners of War, 1950-1954, Ancestry.com). Records reflect that he was involved in the infamous 1952 POW Olympics (Source: http:www.kmike.com) He was repatriated August 31, 1953 (Source: Korean War Prisoners of War, 1950-1954, Ancestry.com).
Colonel Witt passed away June 19, 2007 at St. Joseph Manor in Bryan, Texas at the age of 89 years.
He is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Bexar County, Texas along with his wife of 59 years, Plot: Section CR Site 34 (http://www.findagrave.com)
Other Comments:
James R. Witt entered the Army air Corps as a pilot in 1941. He served in the southwest Pacific Theater during World War II where he flew 150 combat missions in both bomber and fighter aircraft. After discharge from the AAF he was a part owner of a flying school in San Antonio, Texas and active in the Air National Guard when in May of 1950 his guard unit was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict. After he was repatriated in 1953 in remained in the Air Force until he retired in 1974. Although it's unkown at this time the units he served with during these years, his service time was spent at U.S. Air Force bases in Montgomery, Alabama, Ramstein, Germany, Laredo, Texas, Ankara, Turkey, Klamath Falls, Oregon, Denver, Colorado, and he was Chief of Staff, Iceland Defense Force in Kefavik, Iceland.
"Name: James R. Witt
Birth Year: 1918
Nativity State or Country: Texas
State of Residence: Texas
County or City: Dallas
Enlistment Date: 2 Nov 1941
Enlistment State: Texas
Enlistment City: Dallas
Branch: Air Corps
Branch Code: Air Corps
Grade: Aviation Cadet
Grade Code: Aviation Cadet
Component: Regular Army
Source: Civil Life
Education: 4 years of college
Civil Occupation: Actors and actresses
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 71
Weight: 171" Source: U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, Ancestry.com
