Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Forces Veteran James R. Tipton, who was captured and held as a prisoner of war for 13 months during World War II.
James R. Tipton grew up in Union City, Kentucky. Before joining the Army Air Forces, Tipton helped build part of the Blue Grass Army Depot, a U.S. Army storage facility. He later got a job at the Army Depot, which provided ammunition, chemical defense equipment and ammunition support for the beginning of World War II.
Tipton was living at home, helping his father around the farm when the United States entered World War II. On Dec. 1, 1942, he enlisted with the Army Air Forces and went to Miami Beach, Florida, for basic training. After training, Tipton qualified as a waist gunner with the 713th Bomb Squadron, 448th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. The 448th Bomb Group was a B-24 Liberator Group that was stationed overseas. The Group entered combat on Dec. 22, 1943. For the next 18 months, they flew 262 missions over occupied Europe.
On April 1, 1944, Tipton’s squadron was ordered to bomb the largest chemical plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The 713th Bomb Squadron took off from Norfolk in their B-24 Liberator, nicknamed “Black Widow.” Flying over Halinghen, France, the bomber experienced a fuel breakdown. At 10,000 feet, realizing oxygen levels were dangerously low, Tipton and the crew decided to jump out of the plane. At first, Tipton thought he was heading towards an open field, but as he got closer to the ground, he noticed power lines under him. He passed out before hitting the ground.
The Germans captured Tipton and the crew, taking them to a camp in Austria. When Tipton was first photographed by one of the prison guards, he had not been able to shave, brush his hair or eat in over a week. His parents soon received a telegram from the Adjutant General informing them that their son had been missing over the European area since April 13, 1944.
After 13 months, the Germans released him. He honorably discharged Oct. 15, 1945, as a staff sergeant. During his service, Tipton earned a Purple Heart, an Air Medal and a Prisoner of War Medal.
At 95 years old, Tipton lives in Waco, Kentucky, less than 10 miles from where he was born. He is one of the few remaining prisoners of war from a group that met once a month.
Thank you for your service!
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Contributors
Writer: Rachel Heimann
Editor:
Graphic artist:
Topics in this story
More Stories
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Navy Veteran Ken Mattingly, who served as a pilot during the 1950s and later became an astronaut during the Apollo missions.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Air Force Veteran Gavino Cavazos, who served from 1949 to 1973 during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Army Veteran Howard Brown, who served during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1969 and the Gulf War from 1969 to 1992.
Amazing! Thank you Sir. That comes with a Salute!
Thank you for your service!
Thank you for your service James R. Tipton!