Pyka, James Matthew – ww2 Pacific

Name and Rank, Flight Officer James Matthew Pyka.

Unit/Placed in, 2nd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.

James was born approx. on Jan. 28, 1922 in Gillespie County, Texas.

Father, Valentine B. Pyka.

Mother, Theresa (Knopp) Pyka.

Sister, Bernice T. Pyka.

Brother, Robert V. Pyka.

James entered the service from Texas with service number # 38250031.

James M. Pyka was a Co Pilot in the 2nd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.

James crewmembers and their position onboard the B-25 were,

Major Robert C. Kunz Pilot

F/O James M. Pyka Co Pilot

1st Lt. Stanley Z. A Navigator

S/Sgt. Billy S. Isham Engineer/Gunner

S/Sgt. Alvin Scheafer Radio Operator/Gunner

James was Killed in Action due to rough weather and poor visibility the plane crashed in sea, on June 19, 1945, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

James is buried at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Tablets of the Missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Saint Mary Cemetery, Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, Texas, USA.

Thanks to http://www.cbi-history.com/part_vi_2nd_weather_recon_sq.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano