Sioux City Flier Bombs Nazis
On a recent raid over Nazi-controlled Romilly-Sur-Seine, France, a Sioux Cityan, Second Lieut. James C. Murphy, son of Mrs. J.J. Murphy, 1515 McDonald Street, acted as bombardier on a heavy bomber.
In the melee which occurred when the American planes, Flying Fortresses and Liberators, encountered a force of German Focke-Wulf 190 fighters, the Sweet Pea, the plane to which Lieut. Murphy is assigned, is credited with downing two of the enemy craft.
Lieut. Murphy attended Trinity College here, and was graduated from Creighton University in Omaha. He received his flight training at Ontaria, Cal., Houston, Texas, Topeka, Kansas where he completed his combat training, and Albuquerque, N.M. where he also served as instructor.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, [unknown date]
European Raid Veteran Is Reported Missing
Lieut. James C. Murphy Downed German Planes
After taking part in bombing raids over Nazi-held territory in Europe, Second Lieut. James C. Murphy has been reported missing in action, the war department notified his mother, Mrs. J.J. Murphy, 1515 McDonald Street, said Friday night.
Lieut. Murphy participated in air action over the western European area before he was reported missing, the adjutant general, writing for Secretary of War Knox, told Mrs. Murphy in a special letter.
In a raid over German-controlled Romilly-Sur-Seine, France, several weeks before January 7, Lieut. Murphy served as bombardier on a heavy bomber. His plane was credited with downing two Nazi fighter craft when the American ships, Flying Fortresses and Liberators, which were carrying out the raid encountered a force of German Focke-Wulf 190s.
Lieut. Murphy attended Trinity college and was graduated from Creighton University at Omaha. He received his flight training at Ontario, Cal., Houston, Texas; Topeka, Kansas and Albuquerque, N.M. He completed his combat training at Topeka and served as an instructor at Albuquerque.
Two brothers are in the air corps reserve. One, William is attending Trinity College; the other Daniel, is a student at the University of Iowa.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, [unknown date] (photo included)
James Charles Murphy was born Nov. 25, 1917 to John Joseph and Helen Fitzpatrick Murphy. He died Jan. 7, 1943 and is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England.
2nd Lt. Murphy served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 367th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group, Heavy and was MiA/KIA as navigator on B-17F (#41-24469) after participating in a bombing mission over a torpedo dump at Saint Nazaire, France. Their plane was lost on their return flight.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
