James H. Alexander, Jr. 1619 W. Fifth Street, has been commissioned an ensign in the naval aviation corps. Ensign Alexander is the son of Mrs. Pearl Alexander and was appointed a naval aviation cadet July 24, 1941.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 28, 1942
Navy “War Birds” Home on Furlough
Two “War birds of the Navy” not long ago taking flight training at Morningside College, Jim Alexander, 1619 W. Fifth Street, left and John Pajonas, 2111 George Street, have been commissioned ensigns in the navy air corps. Both men attended Morningside College and received primary and secondary flight training there. Both are home on furlough. They are shown here visiting at the college.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, March 7, 1942 (photo included)
Wins Commission
A graduate of Central High School and a former student at Morningside College, James Alexander, Jr., son of Mrs. Pearl Alexander, 1619 W. Fifth Street has been commissioned an ensign in the navy air corps at the training base at Corpus Christi, Texas. He is to report March 21 at San Diego, California.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, March 14, 1942 (photo included)
Decorated for Heroic Flying
Secretary of the Navy Knox announced Thursday that Lieut. James Herbert Alexander, son of Mrs. Pearl Anderson, 1619 W. Fifth Street, has been awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his part in piloting a patrol bomber which beat off an attack by six or more twin-engine German fighters.
The citation said Alexander’s skillful maneuvering made it possible for his gunner to send one enemy plane crashing into the water and damage four others, although he was severely wounded in the head.
On January 28, 1943, Lieut. Alexander’s name was featured in Associated Press dispatches after he was decorated by Admiral W.F. Halsey for plotting a perfect course for a bombing mission to New Georgia Island. The air medal was awarded for his part in the rescue of the crew of a B-17 bomber which had been disabled in a flight over Tonolei Island and forced down near Villa Lanelli Island, both in the Solomon’s group.
In February he returned to Sioux City on furlough before reporting to San Diego last March. Since that time he has been stationed on the east coast and in England. In September his mother received word from the Navy that he was missing in action but the following month he phoned her from a city in Virginia that he was safe.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, November 19, 1943 (photo included)
James Herbert Alexander, Jr. was born Aug. 17, 1920 to James H. (Sr.) and Pearl Jean Jones Alexander. He died Dec. 3, 1943 and has a cenotaph in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City, IA. He was initially buried in a cemetery in England.
Lt. Alexander served in World War II with the U.S. Navy Pacific Air Fleet and died from injuries received in action.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to James Herbert Alexander, Jr., Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy PBY Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED THREE (VPB-103), during action against enemy German forces over the Bay of Biscay, on 4 September 1943. While conducting a highly dangerous antisubmarine patrol, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Alexander, under a vicious attack by six twin-engined fighters, maneuvered the bomber with such precise skill that his gunners were able to shoot down one hostile craft and cripple three others. Although his own plane was set afire in the vigorous air battle, her flying instruments rendered inoperative and her four engines badly damaged, he nevertheless carried on, despite a painful head wound, until he had evaded the remainder of the enemy and effected a safe landing at sea. Successfully abandoning the big flying boat, he and his crew rode out a severe storm in a rubber life raft before reaching land two days later. Lieutenant Alexander's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 323 (February 1944)
