1st Lieutenant Robert L. James--Pilot

 

1st Lt. Robert L. James of San Leandro, California occupied the left seat in the cockpit. He was the commander of the crew and responsible for their safety and efficiency at all times, even on the ground between missions. He also was responsible for censoring the crew's mail. Lt. James was responsible for flying the plane to its target and returning it to base, or an alternate base in the case of trouble or lack of fuel to return. He was also charged with keeping the plane in its proper place in the tight formations they flew. This could be a real struggle with the thin air at 20,000 plus feet. Because of the high aspect airfoil, the plane had to be trimmed at just the right flight attitude. The correct setting of revolutions of the propeller and the manifold pressure was critical and had to be maintained.

Lt. James was an excellent pilot and was chosen to be the lead aircraft in his flight--usually the third, or low flight. The B-24 JESSE JAMES was named by Robert James and ball turret gunner Harry Fryar. Harry was from Missouri, the same state as the outlaw Jesse James. Since these men had been trained to kill with their bombs and guns they now felt like outlaws.