S/Sgt. James Timothy Lee
Born: 29 August 1920 – Berkeley, Illinois
Parents: Gregory I. Lee and Mary T. Flavin-Lee
– His mother died in 1921
– 1924 – father married Mary Ryan
Siblings: 1 sister, 1 brother, 2 half-brothers
Home:
– 5721 Bohlander Avenue – Berkley, Illinois
Education:
– Sunnyside Grade School
– Proviso Township High School
– Class of 1937
– left high school after two years
Occupation: apprentice painter – T. J. Peters Company
Selective Service Registration: 16 October 1940
Contact Person: Gregg G. Lee – father
Residence: 716 Monroe Avenue – River Forest, Illinois
Enlisted:
– 23 December 1941
– U.S. Army Air Corps
Serial Number: 16036606
Training:
– Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri
Unit: 522nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group, 12th Army Air Force
Overseas: June 1943
Bombing Missions:
– North Africa
– Italy
Stationed:
– Salon, France
– 30 August 1944
Engagements:
– flew almost 100 missions over France and Germany
Died:
– 11 September 1944
– aircraft accident over France as a result of heavy fog
– a total of 15 men died in the crash of the C-47
– the unit was being relocated to Loyettes, France
Note: In October 1946, Fifty-sixth Avenue, in Berkley, was renamed Lee Avenue in honor of S/Sgt. James T. Lee.
– a memorial plaque was placed at a chapel in Leyrieu, France, with the names of those who died
Buried:
– 31 January 1949 – Camp Butler National Cemetery – Springfield, Illinois
– Section: C Site: 528
The top photo is his grave at Camp Butler while the bottom photo shows his name on the memorial in Leyrieu, France.
