US AIRBORNE

Large a thank you with Graham for all help brought.

James T (Jim) Wynne - Private with Sergent.

Was useful with distinction with the Company of GQ of the 1^er battalion in the group of machine-gun of October 20, 42 to October 13, 45.

Jim Wynne is an example of what one names off the the “ Greatest Greatest Generation”.

Born a farm which produced tobacco, it entered to the army or it finishes with the rank of Sergeant, leader of his section. After the war he became owner of industry before finishing like large organizer of his religious community.

“I was born on July 30, 1922 in Battleboro, Caroline of North within an agricultural community.

In October 1942, I entered to the army to the Croft Camp, to South Carolina. »

As soon as it was possible for it, Jim goes voluntary for the airborne troops. It was sent to the Blanding Camp in Florida.

“I was sent to the Blanding Camp rather than has the school of jump of Strong Benning in Georgia because the army wanted to see whether it were better to form whole units to become an airborne troop or if it were better to train individuals and to then assign them with the airborne units. »

With the Blanding Camp, Jim was assigned with 508th PIR. With the origin, this regiment was made up that of framework of airborne qualified officers and warrant officers. There were just enough men to form the 1^er battalion.

“We were lodged in the old huts abandoned of Civil the Conservation Body. We have accepted at the same time the standard training of infantry and the programme of drive of Airborne School. The end of this drive, was conceived to ensure that the candidates of the school reached the mental standards from the point of view and physiques required to become parachutist.”

Each days is occupied, Jim learns how to be a soldier. This included of the races to foot of several kilometers, fights with the body with body and other forms of drive to test the physical and mental capacities men.

“We were trustful and proud on February 3, 1943 when we are ridden on train which carried out us at the height Benning and the school of jump. We were prepared physically and mentally of all the soldiers of the army. »

This attitude was preserved during all the formation during the 3 weeks spent at the school of parachutist. The drive is always composed of races to foot but also of drive to the jump either of high tower or of false fuselage to learn how to fall. It there also formation with the folding of parachute and to finish, 5 jumps of qualifications.

“On March 12, 1943, we proudly pinned our wings of silver parachute, bent on our stone-block the patch of the parachutists and “blouse” our trousers on our boots of jump before leaving in permission. They were my first days off since October 1942. »

Then, after these permissions, the 508^HT PIR moved with the Mackall Camp. A new camp built in the marshes of North Carolina.

The following weeks were used to train the men with the methods of the infantry and the drive of the airborne operations.

“We learned how to be used to us as weapons, to improve our ability with the shooting to be taken part in operations on the ground and also jumped in parachute. »

In May, Jim Wynne and his regiment leave for the Caroline the South. There, it took part in operations against the 101st Airborne. In September, they were operations with the 2^Nd Army in Tennessee.

“We had the occasion to show our ability in time that airborne troop in a jump of night. After the jump, we took part in some small exercises on the ground before turning over to the Mackall Camp, tired but proud. We were rewarded by 3 days for permission. ”

On their return, the men of the 508th took again the drive and prepared at the periods of the festivals of end of the year.

But on December 19, 1943, the regiment began its long voyage including 11 days at sea towards Ireland then Scotland and a way in the train towards Nottingham in England.

“A Nottingham, we lived in tents at 10 minutes with foot of the city. A city with very friendly people, much of pub and of the dance halls. »

During this period, the drive continued with two jumps of nights and also a great number of exercises of night on the ground. At the end of this period, it was ready with the combat.

On May 28, 44 508th PIR was attached to the 82nd Airborne and envoy close to the airfields on standby to be sent to the combat.

“After the days of briefings with models on sand tables, we have accepted our equipment and blackened our faces, statement good-bye with our buddies and ridden on board our C-47.

It was one of most important of my life, you are likely to take part in some things of as important, massive and significant as the invasion of Normandy the Day-J. »

Late on June 5, at the time of a muscular gathering, Jim Wynne this uncouples the shoulder.

“The médics wanted to hospitalize me. But I had too much run kilometer, too made pumping and I had sweated during hours in forecast of this adventure which it was out of question that I miss it! I protested so strongly that the médics gave me the shoulder to its place.”

A few hours later, Jim flew over the English Channel in C-47 with 17 other men of the Company of HQ of the 1^er battalion, direction Normandy.

“Our flight until France was relatively calm until we arrived at the Normand littoral, then, the hell it is unchained. Low clouds, the German anti-aircraft batteries exploding planes and pilots flying to avoid the shootings created an atmosphere of chaos and confusion. »

Jim Wynne jumped around 1h30 the morning some share to Normandy. Jim lands nearly his package of equipment which contained a machine-gun.

“Quickly, I found my machine-gun and I met 6 other parachutists. »

During the 7 days which followed, Jim and his companions spent their times fighting with small group of German, to avoid the large patrols and to try to find the remainder of its company.

4 days later, the 508th approached its objective, the N°30 Hill. Jim Wynne belongs to a group of 40 officers and soldiers. They fought Germans in full routs, taking roadways, villages gathering in way, more and more parachutists of 508th PIR.

On July 13, 1944, the survivors of 508th PIR embark on board LST direction England and Nottingham.

“A Nottingham, we received a worthy reception hero, although we left in Normandy the true heroes. »

During the following weeks, ceremonies of commemorations in homage to the men fallen in Normandy took place. Gatherings and ceremonies of decorations were also held. The new recruits were also accomodated.

“The surgeons of 508th PIR had not forgotten my dislocated shoulder. They sent to me in a hospital to practise a repairing surgery. They wanted to make well, but the surgery and the courses of rehabilitations prevented me from taking part in the countryside of Holland in September. I was declared completely ready to take again the combat after the countryside of Holland. »

Of return in his company, Jim does not recognize much face. New faces replaced those lost in Normandy and others replaced those lost in Holland.

“On December 17, 1944, we were put in alarm to turn over to the combat. The Germans had started counters attack in the Ardennes to them which aimed at the ports of the English Channel. »

The Germans inserted the American lines. Hundreds of men were killed, captured or disappeared. It is the beginning of the countryside baptized “Battle off the Bulge”. The most expensive battle of the Second World war in Europe.

“We travelled on open board truck during one day icy towards Werbomont to Belgium to join the Alliés forces to push back the German attack. The days according to were occupied in operations with feet and the truck to find the best positions to destroy the movements of armoured tanks and German infantries. »

The winter arrived to Europe with strong fall of snow on December 21. On December 23, 508th PIR was in position to open a corridor of safety for the survivors of the 106th Infantry Division and 7th Armored Division which undergoes the German attack.

To establish this corridor, the 508th was deployed while covering on 13km of Vielsam to the Salm river. Hundreds of vehicles as of the men forwarded by this passage until the Christmas day before.

At this time there, the situation of 508th PIR was critical. The regiment was threat to be encircled and destroyed by an important German force.

On December 24, 508th PIR accepted the order to be folded up on its starting lines.

“This night there, the men of 508th PIR protected by a force from cover reprocessed through forests and snow-covered hills pushing back of strong German patrols. The morning of Christmas, 508th PIR was in these positions of starting combat crying the men whom we lost and who covered us during our retirement what include men of the group of heavy machine gun of the company of HQ of the 1^er battalion. »

After several hard battles, the German attack was stopped.

On January 7, 1945, 508th PIR launched against attacks to destroy the remainders of the projecting German and to penetrate in the Siegfried line and to take and reach western banks of Roer.

“We fought in a deep layer of snow lasting of the cold days without sun, shelters and food.

At least 40% of the losses of the 508th were caused by the cold and our incapacity to evacuate the casualties. Many men died while waiting to be evacuated. I belonged to lucky which was evacuated the seriously cold feet. »

Jim finished the war with Heddernheim small suburbs of Frankfurt in Germany.

“We provided the force of safety and like guard of honour to the District General of General Eisenhower. I left the army on November 7, 1945 at the height Bragg in North Carolina. »

James T Wynne finished the war with the rank of Sergeant. It was decorated with Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Invasion Arrowhead, Combat Infantry Badge, Three battle stars, Brevet of parachutist with a star for Normandy, Presidential Unit Quotation, the fodder Belgian and Frenchwoman and Numerous defense medals with the medal of occupation and Germany Bar.

“I am turned over to Virginia Beach and my work in the company of telephone. I married with Paxina on March 21, 1978 in Elizabeth City in North Carolina. »

Jim and Paxina took an active part in the life of the church and the civic activities. They were also large to back activities of the 82nd Airborne Division and activities of 508th PIR Association.

Paxina Wynne even by was twice elected “Woman of the Year” by the members of Hampton Roads Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association.

Jim served several years like “director off the chapter” and in 2004 it was elected “Chapter Chairman”.