North American P-51B, Major James Howard, 356th Fighter Squadron, March 1944, RAF Boxted, England.

After James Howard served with the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in China, he was commissioned as a Captain in the USAAF in July 1942. In 1943 he was promoted to Major and was made CO of the 356th Fighter Squadron in May 1943. On January 11, 1944 during a mission over Oschersleben, Germany (flying P-51B 43-6441 AJ*X) he came across a formation of unescorted B-17 bombers from the 401st BG being attacked by over 30 Luftwaffe fighters. He engaged the enemy for more than half an hour, shooting down several of the fighters, and once his ammunition ran out, began making diving runs on the enemy to disrupt their attacks on the bombers. The lead bomber pilot stated “For sheer determination and guts, it was the greatest exhibition I’ve ever seen. It was a case of one lone American against what seemed to be the entire Luftwaffe. He was all over the wing, across and around it. They can’t give that boy a big enough award.” Andy Rooney, who was writing for Stars and Stripes at the time, called it “the greatest fighter pilot story of WWII.”

Howard was given the Medal of Honor for this act, and was the only USAAF pilot in Europe to receive it during WWII. The citation for his MoH read:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Oschersleben, Germany, on 11 January 1944. On that day Col. Howard was the leader of a group of P-51 aircraft providing support for a heavy bomber formation on a long-range mission deep in enemy territory. As Col. Howard’s group met the bombers in the target area the bomber force was attacked by numerous enemy fighters. Col. Howard, with his group, at once engaged the enemy and himself destroyed a German Me 110. As a result of this attack Col. Howard lost contact with his group, and at once returned to the level of the bomber formation. He then saw that the bombers were being heavily attacked by enemy airplanes and that no other friendly fighters were at hand. While Col. Howard could have waited to attempt to assemble his group before engaging the enemy, he chose instead to attack single-handed a formation of more than 30 German airplanes. With utter disregard for his own safety he immediately pressed home determined attacks for some 30 minutes, during which time he destroyed 3 enemy airplanes and probably destroyed and damaged others. Toward the end of this engagement 3 of his guns went out of action and his fuel supply was becoming dangerously low. Despite these handicaps and the almost insuperable odds against him, Col. Howard continued his aggressive action in an attempt to protect the bombers from the numerous fighters. His skill, courage, and intrepidity on this occasion set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.”

Howard went on to become a Brigadier General and retired from the USAF in 1966.

Profile notes: At this point, Howard’s P-51B retained the early style canopy and also had the ground bombing mirrors installed on the N-3B reflector gunsight. The white vertical tail recognition stripe would eventually be painted over (presumably around the time the Malcolm Hood was added, as this was also the point the fuselage codes were repainted in a non-stenciled format.)  Note the small sliver of white paint showing on the forward edge of the exhaust shroud, this is correct and not a mistake on my part (see photo in image gallery below.)

To see James Howard’s Curtiss H-81A from his tour with the AVG Flying Tigers click HERE.

Click the gallery thumbnail below for a larger view of this aircraft.