James Tyree

My father somewhat reluctantly returned to civilian life in October 1947, place of separation Salina Kansas. His Separation Qualification Record says under Summary of Military Occupations: "Bombardier: Flew 43 combat missions; 308 combat hours in B-17 in Africa and Europe from September 43 to September 44. Rated Radar Observer, Bombardment, Administrative Officer Recruiting Administrative Officer, Officers Mess Officer, Grad. Pers. Mgmt Course, SHAAF, Salina Kansas" He went back into the Air Force during the Korean War.

The DD-214 lists a Radar Refresher Course Feb 1951 at Ellington AFB, Texas and Combat Crew Training at Randolph AFB, Texas from March 1951 to May 1952. He separated from the service September 13, 1953 at Limestone AFB, Maine with the rank of Captain in the Air Reserve. He remained in the Air Force Reserves until retirement on August 5, 1975 (his 60th birthday) with the rank of Major. He passed away on September 9, 1997 and was given a military funeral. He was buried in his beloved Air Force uniform."

According to an article Grand Daddy wrote in The Security Searchlight, he wrote that In the fall of 1943, a group of us went to Casa Blanca in Liberty ships. Shortly we flew to Tunis and my crew joined an outfit stationed just out of Tunisia. I flew a few missions out of North Africa with the 301st Bombardment Group, a B-17 outfit, best in the then 12th Air Force (later the 15th). Just before Christmas, we moved to southern Italy, near Foggia. I completed my tour out of Foggia except for a brief stay with the radar lead ships. There I led my own outfit on many missions, including the Ploesti oil field raids. Completing my tour, I returned to the good ole USA in the fall of 1944. I did go back for a few weeks later, but to no more combat."