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Contact Info
Home Town Charleston, Tennessee
Last Address Florida
Date of Passing Apr 09, 1945
Location of Interment Calhoun Community Cemetery - Calhoun, Tennessee
He was credited with destroying 17 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He was killed in a plane crash in Pinellas, FL. A bridge on US Highway 11 over the Hiwassee River is named for him. The bridge is between Charleston, TN, his home town, and Calhoun, TN and is very near where he is buried in the Calhoun Community Cemetery.
Synopsis of his Silver Star citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: James S. Varnell, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the FIFTEENTH Air Force in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2341 (1944)
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Rome-Arno Campaign (1944)
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
September / 1944
Description (Rome-Arno Campaign 22 January to 9 September 1944) U.S. 5th Army advanced 150 miles to the Arno River. The unsuccessful attempt to break the Gustav Line on 22 January was followed by another unsuccessful effort in March when the infantry failed to push through after bombers had endeavored to open the line at Monte Cassino. Allied air power then began a vigorous campaign against railroads, highways, and shipping that supported German forces in Italy. With supply lines strangled, the Germans could not repulse the new drive launched by the Allies in May. German resistance crumbled. By 4 June 1944 the Allies had taken Rome. But the advance ground to a halt against a new defensive line the enemy established along the Arno River.
