Retired aviator cited for WWII bravery - Aircraft of World War II

Aggie08 · 12-07-2007, 07:58 PM

Retired aviator cited for WWII bravery

Retired aviator cited for WWII bravery

He was a waist gunner in a B-17 aircraft that made the first daylight raid on Berlin.

Edward L. Cardenas / The Detroit News

SHELBY TOWNSHIP -- Retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. James Marbry was among the first members of the Army Air Force to see Berlin as his B-17 swooped in for a bombing raid of the German capital in March 1944.

Nearly 64 years later, he's finally received recognition for that harrowing mission to push deep into German territory during daylight.

The 84-year-old Shelby Township veteran received his Distinguished Flying Cross Sunday Selfridge Air National Guard Base for his efforts as a ball turret gunner aboard the B-17 bomber named "Dreambaby."

The honor came about when a grandson of a crewmate began asking his grandfather about his service medals in 2004. Soon, an effort was started to get the entire crew the Distinguished Flying Cross, a medal given to those who "exhibit heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight," according to the Air Force.

Marbry received his medal before a contingent that included his grandson, Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Marbry, who flew home from Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

"It's important that we recognize this passing generation and their sacrifices before they are gone. Their sacrifices enable us to enjoy the freedoms we have today," said Col. David Miller, Selfridge vice-commander.

Shortly after the Berlin mission for which he was honored, he was transferred to another bomber that was sent on a Memorial Day raid in 1944 just days before the D-Day invasion.

His job on that raid was to bomb a fighter plane factory deep in Germany. But a Luftwaffe fighter hit his B-17 with a 20 mm machine gun fire between the third and fourth engine. The bullet tore into the wing and started a fire on the bomber, which was flying at an altitude of 26,500 feet.

Marbry, who was a radio operator on that flight, knew he had 90 seconds to get out.

He deployed his parachute and landed just before pieces of the plane came raining down around him. He learned that four members of the crew died in the crash, and a few hours later he was taken prisoner by the Germans. After 11 months, was finally liberated by a unit attached to Gen. George Patton's Third Army.

"It was a quite an experience," he said. "I wish I could give you all the feelings I have about the men that didn't come back."

Bf109_g · 12-08-2007, 05:36 AM

Well done

ccheese · 12-08-2007, 10:50 PM

I'm glad he got his medal while he was still alive. Sometimes that don't
happen.

Charles

Wayne Little · 12-09-2007, 06:03 AM

v2 · 12-09-2007, 07:37 AM

ToughOmbre · 12-09-2007, 09:32 AM

Keith M · 12-11-2007, 11:53 PM

I love this story, apparently this happened in march of 1944, my grandfather S/SGT Harold Jernigan was ball turret gunner in May of that year on the same plane. The 381st Log shows he took out an fw190 on the 11th of may.
Was it common for individual crew members to be transfered to other aircraft?

Thanks
Keith

12-07-2007, 07:58 PM	#1
Aggie08 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,013	Retired aviator cited for WWII bravery Retired aviator cited for WWII bravery Retired aviator cited for WWII bravery He was a waist gunner in a B-17 aircraft that made the first daylight raid on Berlin. Edward L. Cardenas / The Detroit News SHELBY TOWNSHIP -- Retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. James Marbry was among the first members of the Army Air Force to see Berlin as his B-17 swooped in for a bombing raid of the German capital in March 1944. Nearly 64 years later, he's finally received recognition for that harrowing mission to push deep into German territory during daylight. The 84-year-old Shelby Township veteran received his Distinguished Flying Cross Sunday Selfridge Air National Guard Base for his efforts as a ball turret gunner aboard the B-17 bomber named "Dreambaby." The honor came about when a grandson of a crewmate began asking his grandfather about his service medals in 2004. Soon, an effort was started to get the entire crew the Distinguished Flying Cross, a medal given to those who "exhibit heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight," according to the Air Force. Marbry received his medal before a contingent that included his grandson, Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Marbry, who flew home from Ramstein Air Base in Germany. "It's important that we recognize this passing generation and their sacrifices before they are gone. Their sacrifices enable us to enjoy the freedoms we have today," said Col. David Miller, Selfridge vice-commander. Shortly after the Berlin mission for which he was honored, he was transferred to another bomber that was sent on a Memorial Day raid in 1944 just days before the D-Day invasion. His job on that raid was to bomb a fighter plane factory deep in Germany. But a Luftwaffe fighter hit his B-17 with a 20 mm machine gun fire between the third and fourth engine. The bullet tore into the wing and started a fire on the bomber, which was flying at an altitude of 26,500 feet. Marbry, who was a radio operator on that flight, knew he had 90 seconds to get out. He deployed his parachute and landed just before pieces of the plane came raining down around him. He learned that four members of the crew died in the crash, and a few hours later he was taken prisoner by the Germans. After 11 months, was finally liberated by a unit attached to Gen. George Patton's Third Army. "It was a quite an experience," he said. "I wish I could give you all the feelings I have about the men that didn't come back." __________________ "I had ten rockets on board, and as I wasn't particularly fond of head-on attacks, I salvoed the whole lot at him. The rockets didn't hit him but but they must have scared the bejesus out of him, for he did a steep turn to starboard... I let him have the full blast, all eight fifty-calibers. I had never seen an aircraft completely disintegrate in the air the way this Me-110 did..." Bill Dunn, 406th Fighter Group Matt

12-08-2007, 05:36 AM	#2
Bf109_g Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 634	Well done __________________

12-08-2007, 10:50 PM	#3
ccheese Older Than Dirt Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 7,309	I'm glad he got his medal while he was still alive. Sometimes that don't happen. Charles __________________ I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either....

12-09-2007, 07:37 AM	#5
v2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cracow Posts: 4,207	__________________ "A good fighter pilot, like a good boxer, should have a knockout punch..... You will find one attack you prefer to all others. Work on it till you can do it to perfection... then use it whenever possible." - Captain Reade Tilley, USAAF 7 Victories, WW-II -

12-09-2007, 09:32 AM	#6
ToughOmbre Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,233	__________________ *“Let's get Enterprise* and Hornet turned into the wind."**

12-09-2007, 06:03 AM	#4
Wayne Little Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Adelaide Sth. Aust. Posts: 12,511

12-11-2007, 11:53 PM	#7
Keith M Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1	aviator cited for bravery I love this story, apparently this happened in march of 1944, my grandfather S/SGT Harold Jernigan was ball turret gunner in May of that year on the same plane. The 381st Log shows he took out an fw190 on the 11th of may. Was it common for individual crew members to be transfered to other aircraft? Thanks Keith

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