S/Sgt. James R. Fields of Williamstown, MO proudly displays his Silver Star and Purple Heart which he was awarded while a patient at the 52nd General Hospital at Kidderminster, England. Photo taken 28 November 1943. His Silver Star citation reads as follows:
“For gallantry in action, while serving as right waist gunner of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe on 16 September 1943 [to the harbor in Nantes, France]. During a determined attack by enemy fighters, a 20 MM cannon shell exploded in the waist section of the plane severely wounding Sergeant Fields and knocking him down. With complete disregard for his painful wounds, Sergeant Fields courageously returned to his gun and continued to fight off repeated attacks. Only when the attacks had ceased did he leave his position to receive first-aid treatment. The courage, skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Fields on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
S/Sgt. Fields was on 42-29828 JD*Q T.S. (Tough Shit) flown by Ashcraft, which landed badly shot up in southern England. As Briefed states that the initial fighter attack knocked out the radio and oxygen systems (tearing open the right thigh of TSgt Romulus Jennings, radio operator), and destroyed the tail guns (wounding S/Sgt. William Lindsey in the right hip). S/Sgt. James Fields was hit in the left leg, fracturing it in two places but stayed at his guns.
Source: Mark Meehl, 2014
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