Col. James A. Watkins
5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS)
P-38 Lightning Ace
Background
James Albert Watkins was born August 26, 1920 in Clinton, Mississippi. Nicknamed "Duckbutt". He graduated high school and attended two years of college and enlisted in the U.S. Army reserves.
Wartime History
On February 10, 1941 in Jackson, Mississippi enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet with serial number 14042172. He attended primary flight school and advanced flight school. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On September 26, 1941 at Craig Field in Alabama earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-427786.
Assigned to the 8th Pursuit Group (8th PG), 36th Pursuit Squadron (36th PS). On December 15, 1941 transfered to the 49th Pursuit Group (49th PG). At the end of
the year he had a total of 203 hours 50 minutes of training time, 9 hours 50 minutes flying pursuit for a total of 212 hours 35 minutes flight time.
On September 15, 1942 promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights" as a P-38 Lightning pilot.
On December 26, 1942 took off piloting P-40E 41-36090 as one of twelve P-40s on a a patrol mission over Dobodura and engaged with Ki-43 Oscars from 11th Hiko Sentai (11th Flying Regiment) misidentified as "Zeros". During the air combat, claimed his first aerial victory that was credited to him plus also claimed a Zero probable.
Although Watkins flew other missions, he made no other claims and feared he might end his first tour of duty with only a single aerial victory.
On June 16, 1943 promoted to the rank of Captain.
On July 26, 1943 at 12:30pm took off piloting from Horanda Drome (Dobodura 4) piloting a P-38H-1 Lightning serial number unknown (likely P-38H "Charlcie Jeanne" 42-66516) as one of twelve P-38s on a scramble mission to the Salamaua area. The formation at 16,000' the formation made a circle over Lae then down to Salamaua then over Markham Valley at 16,000'. At 1:50pm over the Markham Valley, they spotted enemy planes at 12 o'clock and the P-38s were intercepted by twenty fighters including ten Ki-61 Tonys and ten Ki-43 Oscars. During the air combat, Watkins claimed four Ki-61 Tony as aerial victories that were credited to him, his second, third, fourth and fifth victories and became an ace.
On July 28, 1943 at 6:39am took off from Horanda Airfield (Dobodura No. 4) piloting P-38H "Charlcie Jeanne" 42-66516 leading "Blue Flight" on a mission to escort B-25 Mitchells over Cape Gloucester. At 8:15am off Cape Raoult on the north coast of New Britain, the formation spotted twelve to eighteen Ki-43 Oscars and the P-38s released their drop tanks and engaged. During the air combat, Watkins claimed three Oscars shot down and came to the aid of Captain Richard I. Bong who was being attacked by two Oscars.
On August 2, 1943 claimed three Oscars over Saidor, his ninth, tenth and eleventh aerial victories and became a double ace.
On February 26, 1945 returned to the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) for a second tour of duty.
On April 2, 1945 claimed a Ki-44 Tojo over Hong Kong, his twelfth aerial victory claim.
On June 4, 1945 promoted to the rank of Major.
Aircraft Assigned
Watkins had five P-38 Lightnings assigned to him were nicknamed "Charlcie Jeanne" for his wife. The first three during his first tour of duty had squadron number 84. During his second tour he had plane had squadron number 84 and squadron number 1.
P-38G "Charlcie Jeanne" 42-12882 assigned to Watkins
P-38H "Charlcie Jeanne" 42-66516 Nose 84 assigned to Watkins lost piloted by 1st Lt. Theron D. Price MIA October 13, 1943
P-38H "Charlcie Jeanne II" 42-66546 Nose 84 assigned to Watkins lost piloted by 2nd Lt. Dale O. Meyer MIA November 9, 1943
P-38L "Charlcie Jeanne" 44-26407 Nose 84 assigned to Watkins
P-38L "Charlcie Jeanne" 44-27121 Nose 1 assigned to Watkins
Aerial victory claims
Watkins was officially credited with twelve enemy aircraft shot down.
Postwar
On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On October 19, 1950 promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel. On April 5, 1955 promoted to the rank of Colonel. During January 1970, he retired from the military.
Awards
Watkins earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his actions on July 26, 1943. Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with oak leaf cluster and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
Memorials
On August 18, 2008 Watkins died at age 87 in Arlington, Texas.
He is buried at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas at Col B Row CT1site C90.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James A. Watkins
USAAF (Pacific Theater) Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft in Air-To-Air Combat World War 2 (1985) by Frank Olynyk pages xiv (Comments on USAAF Pacific Theater Aces), 31 (July 26, 1943)
Stars & Bars: A Tribute To The American Fighter Ace 1920–1973 (1995) by Frank Olynyk pages 35-36 (49th FG, 9th FS), 620-621 (Watkins)
P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI (1997) pages 60 (artwork), 89 (P-38 Lightning Aces of World War 2 in the Pacific and CBI), 96 (figure plate 2 description)
P-38 Lightning Aces 1942-43 (2014) pages 37-38 (Watkins, photos), 91 (Early P-38 Lightning Aces, Watkins)
FindAGrave - James Albert Watkins (photo, grave photo)
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