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SSgt Jay Lee Adams, 92nd Bomb Wing, USAAF/RAF, 325 AAF Bomb Squadron, WW II. One of 4 operational bombardment squadrons of the USAAF that were assigned to the British RAF, and flew out of Podington, UK from 1943 to 1945. The 92nd Bomb Group was known as "Fame's Favored Few", with a " Triangle B " group tail code on the tail of their B-17 Heavy Bombers.

"FAMES FAVORED FEW"

THE 92nd BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)

325 AAF Bomb Squadron

UNITED STATES 8th ARMY AIR FORCE

STATION 109 PODINGTON

1943 to 1945

IN MEMORY OF THOSE BRAVE AIRMEN AND SUPPORT GROUPS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AND WHO SERVED DURING WORLD WAR II FOR THE LIBERATION OF EUROPE. THE GROUP FLEW 308 MISSIONS 274 FROM PODINGTON AIRFIELD, UK.

"Forever heroes to future generations..

This is the goal in which we strive..

To assure these brave, now weary, men..

That in our memory they will survive"

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OBITUARY

The Carnegie Herald, published an Obituary, for Jay Lee Adams, on Wednesday May 23, 1945

Memorial services were held at the First Baptist Church in Carnegie, Sunday at 3:30 for Staff Sgt. Jay Lee Adams Jr who was killed in action, near Olne, Liege, in the Walloon Region, of Belgium, on Jan. 10, 1945, when his B-17 Bomber was shot down, and crash landed near Olne, Belgium. Jay, was killed in flight, while SGt Ray Fairman was severely wounded. The remainder crew survived the crash landing in the snow. Jay was ejected from the plane and his parachute deployed but they were too low for the chute to deploy fully. He was impaled upon impact with the ground. It is not known if he died from the ejection or from the impalement.

The flying fortress was identified as B-17G-50-BO 42-102396, B17 Flying Fortress Tail number #2102396,. Its pilot was 1Lt. Robert C. Hirsh. The plane crash landed in the snow just outside of, and near the cemetery, of the village of Olne, Belgium. All survived the crash, except Jay Lee Adams Jr.

FLIGHT CREW;

1st Lt Robert C Hirsch – Pilot

1st Lt Leroy H Gunderson-CP

2nd Lt Orris L Lofton-N

2nd Lt William J Wallace, Jr-B

Sgt Harry L Peeler-ROG

T/Sgt John C Campbell-ETG

S/Sgt Raymond G Fairman-BTG

S/Sgt Joseph (NMI) Streiful-TG

S/Sgt Jay L Adams-FG

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A very special 'Thank You' to Jan Maureen (Bilslend) Miller for providing family photos pages from her mother's Photo Album (Wanda Jane Adams), and to her mother Wanda for documenting all family members of her Adams' Family for us all to enjoy forever.

Thanks Wanda and Jan // Edward Mallang 3rd

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Initial Burial

10Jan 1945 • Olne Cemetery, Olne, Liege, Walloon Region, Belgium (KIA WWII)

Initial Interment was in the Olne Cemetery, Olne, Belgium, until remains could be relocated the the Henri-Capelle American Cemetery.

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Jay's remains were transferred to the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Rue du Mémorial Américain 159, 4852 Hombourg, Liège Belgium.

GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.69659, Longitude: 5.89884, on January 12th, 1945.

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Disinterment from the Henry-Chapelle American Cemetery was on October 7th, 1948. His remains were transported by truck to the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, from where he was repatriated to the USA and arrived by rail at the Sentinel, OK. train station, on January 8, 1949 @2:30 pm.

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He was immediately interred in the Sentinel Cemetery, Sentinel, Oklahoma, with a full military honors Service. His daughter Lois Janet Adams, was in attendance with her Grandparents, Harley E. Schlegel and Alice Mae (Love) Schlegel.

Rev. C.N. Price, pastor, delivered a special memorial sermon for Jay, and W.F. Taylor, the district commander of the VFW Post 143, and others, assisted as the Honor Guard.

The United States flag was draped over Jay's casket, with the union blue field at the head and over the left shoulder. After Taps was played, the flag was carefully folded into the symbolic tri-cornered shape, by the Honor Guard, and it was then presented as a keepsake to his daughter, Lois Janet Adams, age 4 yrs 10 months. His daughter remembers the moment, and looked to her Grandmother for guidance, which was 'Take it, and hold it close child'.

The ceremony and presentation of the flag, was a moving tribute of lasting remembrance to Jay's family and friends.

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Jay Lee Adams Sr, married Mary Elizabeth (Schlegel) 22 Feb 1939 • Tillman County, Oklahoma, USA.

Jay was survived by his Paternal Father Mose Adams, his mother Suzanna Poole, his wife Mary Elizabeth (Schlegel) Adams, and his daughter Lois Janet Adams, and 7 siblings.

Jay was preceded in death, by his and Elizabeth's first born son in 1940, Jay Lee Adams 3rd, who died in infancy to an unknown cause, and his paternal Grandfather and Grandmother, John Calhoun Adams 1841–1930, and Susannah Back 1845–1926

Ssgt. Adams was 28 years old at the time of his death. He was a waist-gunner on a B-17 Bombardment Group out of Podington, UK, and was on his 23rd combat mission over Nazi Germany.

He entered military service in the Army Air Force (USAAF Service Number 37533988) July 14, 1943. His wife, Mary Elizabeth and his daughter Lois Janet (age 10 months), were residents of Carnegie, OK., USA at the time of his death.

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Special recognition is provided for Samuël Lucas

( [email protected] ), and his father, of Olne, Belgium, for providing the story of Jays death for the family. Samuel's father remembered the plane crash, and kept the story of Jay Lee Adams, for 45 years, then passed the responsibility to his son Samuël Lucas, who wasn't even born at the time of the crash, to find and provide the story to Jay's family. Mission Accomplished!

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A large stone marker has been placed and commemorated as a memorial to Ssgt Jay Lee Adams, near Olne, Belgium. This memorial was realized by Madam Maria Courtois and her family, and by the municipal administration of Olne, Belgium. The memorial was inaugurated on November 11th, 2007. (See Photo) The language on the marker plate, is in (Flemish).

The GPS Location of the Jay Lee Memorial, in Olne, Belgium

is; N50°35.870' E005°43.595', Rafhay 63, 4877 Olne, Belgium

This location depicts the spot where Jay Lee Adams landed, which is a few miles from where the plane landed in the snow, with all other flight crew members surviving.

A translation of the Flemish inscription is provided below;

Coordonnées MEMORIAL GPS:

+50°35'52.85", +5°43'35.78" or 50.598060, 5.726693

( FLEMISH DUTCH, ethnic region of Belgium )

"A La Memoire Du SSgt Adams Jay L Membre De L'Equipage Du Bombadier 92 BG B17 De La 325 Escadrille De L'US AAF Tombe En Ce Lieu Le 10 Janvier 1945, A L'Age De 28 Ans"

English Translation

"In memory of SSgt Adams Jay L, crewmember of a USAAF B-17 bomber of 92 Bomb Group/325 Squadron, who died on this spot on Jan 10th 1945, at the age of 28 years"

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Jay Lee was born and grew up with his family in Sentinel, OK. Jay Lee Adams Jr, lived and worked at the Sentinel, OK CCC Camp (Civilian Conservation Corp) after his 18th birthday, and before he entered the Army Air Force during WWII. REF: PS-1, 2816 , 11/14/1941, Camp Winningham 1 mi W of Sentinel, OK.

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The only child of Jay Lee Adams and Mary Elizabeth Adams (Schlegel), is Janet Norberg (Lois Janet* Adams) who was married to Raymond Martin Norberg. She resides in Everett, Snohomish, Washington. Her Son Aron Troy Norberg and his wife Ailleen Joy (Espiritu), reside in Sultan, WA, and are expecting their first child in February of 2015. (Update) Kyle Espiritu Norberg arrived 13 Feb, 2015 in Everett, Snohomish Co., Washington, USA, So Lois Janet (Schlegel) Norberg is a Grandmother, and Jay Lee Adams is a A Great Grandfather (GGF).

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MISSION REPORT 10 JAN, 1945

Target; Gymnich Airdrome

January 10, 1945 — Gymnich Airdrome, Germany

A/C No 2102396. 92nd Bomb Group, 325th Squadron, piloted by 1st Lt Robert C Hirsch exhibited a high degree of skill and tenacity of purpose in completing the mission, even though at one time none of his 4 engines was functioning. On the first run, Flak knocked out the No. 1 engine, and on the second run, the No. 2 engine. On this run, the lead bombardier was unable to identify the target in time and bombs were not dropped. Lt Hirsch's aircraft began to lag behind the formation as it regrouped for the third run, but he was determined to bomb. Maintaining air speed by dropping altitude and using the full power of his remaining two engines he was able to stay close to the formation. Just before bombs away, Flak knocked out both of the remaining 2 engines.

Working feverishly, with the aircraft losing considerable air speed and altitude, Lt Hirsch then displayed remarkable aeronautical ability. He brought the No. 1 engine back into operation even though the prop was still running away. Dropping the bomb load on an unidentified German town, he headed for friendly territory, losing altitude at about 1,000 to 1,500 feet per minute. Spotting a field near Liege, Belgium, and behind friendly lines, Lt Hirsch ordered the crew to the radio room and prepared to crash land a badly damaged aircraft... not only were three engines out, but the bomb-bay doors were opened and jammed, and the guns in the inoperative ball turret were at a 90 degree angle. At 300 feet, without order, S/Sgt Jay L. Adams, the waist gunner bailed out and was killed. Lt Hirsch landed the aircraft in the snow, without injury to the crew.

During this mission suspiciously painted B-17's (no group markings) were noted as they appeared from nowhere and without radio contact to join the formation, similar attempts had been made on the missions of Jan 5th and 8th. Earlier attempts were noted in December 1943. Crew members felt certain that the aircraft were enemy manned, but their purpose remained mysterious and obscure.

Source; 92nd BG (Heavy) Archive records,

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A special thank you, to Danièle Bosquet, for her many contributions, including the mission report shown above.

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Lois Janet Adams, daughter of Staff Sgt Jay Lee Adams, is most grateful for Danièle's contribution to Jay's Find a Grave Memorial site.

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FALLEN SOLDIER TABLE (see photo of a Fallen Soldiers Table, this grave memorial. There is almost always, one of these table set up in the dining facility of virtually all US Military Installation, Worldwide, to recognize those that cant't be with us anymore)

The table is small, set for one- symbolizing the frailty of one soldier alone against his enemies.

The table cloth is white- symbolizing the purity of the soldier's intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.

The single red rose symbolizes remembrance. It is displayed in a vase, reminding us of the families and loved ones of our comrades in arms who keep their memories alive, lest we forget.

The red ribbon tied prominently on the vase is a reminder of the blood they shed protecting the liberty so loved by our country.

A slice of lemon sits on the bread plate to remind us of the bitterness of their fate.

The bread plate and lemon slice is covered in salt- symbolic of their families tears.

The glass is inverted, for they cannot toast with us tonight.

The chair is empty, for they can sit with us no longer.

In remembrance of all the fallen soldiers.

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(¯'v´¯)

'*.¸.*´

Jay Lee Adams (28)

╰⊰✿ Rest in Pєαcє ✿⊱╮

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C A S U A L T Y R E P O R T

Date : 10 January 1945 Time :

Airecraft : B-17G 42 - 102396 8th AF.

Codes : NV -

Group/Squadron : 92 BG -H- 325 BS

Base : Podington, England.

Crash details : flak hit two engines and knocked them out on the bomb run. Later a 3rd engine went out and the Pilot had to crash land near Liége, Belgium.

Target : Gymnich Airfield, Germany.

When the B-17 flew at 300 ft., the Waist Gunner bailed out and was killed : Initially buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Belgium. Later repatriated to Sentinel, Oklahoma, USA

Waist Gunner : ADAMS Jay Lee., S/Sgt. 37533988

U.S.A. SENTINEL, OKLA, USA.

According to a report from Ron Pütz, Heerlen, dated 2.7.95, this aircraft crash-landed in the hamlet St. Adelaine (Olne), halfway between Liége and Verviers, Belgium. Salvaged on 23.1.45. (21 Jan, 1945)

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Also check out the following URL;

https://www.fold3.com/page/88367882/j-l-adams/stories

https://www.fold3.com/memorial/657808117/adams-ssgt-jay-l-jr/stories

And a Tribute Facebook Page to Jay Lee Adams and the Lucky Tigers of the

325 Squadron / 92 Bomb Group (Heavy);

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LuckyTigers/permalink/353385038189465/?hc_location=ufi

NOTE

This URL's must be 'cut' and 'Pasted' into your browser, as this memorial site does not directly support HTML Links.

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Jay Lee Adams was Posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, and the Army Air Medal.

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Find A Grave Memorial# 65752710

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Adams, SSGT Jay L

This is the story of SSGT. Jay Lee "JL" Adams US Army Air Corps SN37533988 (1916-1945)

Jay L. Adams, Jr. was born on 16 January 1916 to Joseph Leonidus Mose Adams and Caroline Susan Anna Poole Adams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Joseph was a manager of a filling station. He was born in Georgia, died in Oklahoma in1943 at the age of 70, and is buried in the Sentinel Cemetery. Jay's mother Susie was a homemaker. She was born in Indiana, died in Indiana in 1949 at the age of 59, and is buried in Sentinel, Oklahoma. Jay was born the fifth of 8 children. His younger brother Carl served as a Chief Quartermaster in the Navy during WWII. Two of his siblings died during the 1919 flu epidemic.

Jay grew up in Elk City, Sentinel, and Mountain View in rural Oklahoma west of Oklahoma City. On 22 February 1939, Jay married Mary Elizabeth Schlegel in Tillman, Oklahoma. They had two children. A son, Jay Lee Adams III was born five months premature in 1940 and died the next day. A daughter Lois Janet Adams Norberg was born in 1944. Following the war, Elizabeth would remarry and have 2 more children. After moving to the northwestern US, she passed away in 2002 at the age of 83 in King, Washington.

Jay's draft card from 1940 shows him living with Elizabeth in Dill, Oklahoma and working for Chickasha Oil Company. A newspaper report lists him working as a welder for Boeing Airplane Co. in Wichita, Kansas before enlisting in the Army.

After enlisting in the Army Air Corps, Adams was assigned to the 325 AAF Bomber Squadron, 92nd Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force stationed in Podington, England. The Squadron was referred to as "Fames Favored Few". Jay flew as a waist gunner on a B-17G bomber with tail number 210396. He was part of the nine-man crew led by Pilot First Lieutenant Robert C. Hirsch. Others included Co-pilot First Lieutenant Leroy H Gunderson; Navigator Second Lieutenant Orris L. Lofton; Bombardier Second Lieutenant William J. Wallace; Radio Operator/Gunner Sergeant Harry L. Peeler; Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Sergeant John C. Campbell; and Ball Turret Gunner Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Fairman.

B-17 bombers were equipped with oxygen for all crew members since the aircraft was unpressurized on high altitude bombing missions. The waist gunners stood in openings in the fuselage exposed to frigid below zero temperatures on these bombing missions. Waist gunners were phased out of B-17 crews by the end of 1945.

During the fall of 1944 and winter of 1945, the bombers of the 325th supported the allied efforts in the Battle of the Bulge. They flew many missions attacking bridges and marshaling yards in and near the battle area. Missions were flown from England out across the English Channel and over the snowy fields of Belgium to drop their payload over targets behind the front lines or in Germany and return to base in England. The flying fortresses were under constant attack from German fighters in the air and guns on the ground. Despite being heavily armed, many aircraft were lost during these missions and others limped home with horrific damage. 

Sergeant Jay L. Adams was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster…" for meritorious achievement while serving as a waist gunner of a B-17 Flying Fortress during many combat missions over enemy territory. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Sgt. Adams on these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and upon the armed forces of the United States."

On 10 January 1945 the B-17G piloted by 1st LT. Robert C. Hirsch with SSGT. Jay L. Adams at waist gunner took off from Podington Air Base bound for Gymnich Airdrome with a payload of bombs. Adams was an experienced crew member on his 23rd mission. 

On the first bombing run, engine no. 1 was knocked out by flak from anti-aircraft guns. Engine no. 2 was disabled on the second run leaving only engines 3 and 4 working. With the bombardier unable to identify the target in time, bombs were not dropped on this second pass. As the formation regrouped to make another attempt, the bomber began to lag behind the others. Determined to make a successful bombing run, 1st LT. Hirsch used the full power of his two remaining engines while dropping altitude to maintain enough air speed to stay close to the formation. The remaining engines were knocked out by flak just before the bombs could be dropped on the target.

Engine no. 1 was brought back into operation in time to drop the bomb on an unidentified German town before turning toward Belgium. Losing altitude at a rate of 1,000 to 1,500 feet per minute the bomber lumbered over enemy territory. Once behind friendly lines, the crew gathered in the radio room and prepared for a crash landing in a field near Olne, Liege, Belgium. With three engines out and the bomb-bay doors open and jammed, things were grim onboard the crippled aircraft. 

At 300 feet above the ground and without order, Ssgt. Jay L. Adams bailed out of the B-17G. At this low altitude, his parachute failed to fully deploy. Jay was impaled upon impact with the ground, but it is unknown whether he died from the ejection from the bomber or from the impact. The plane crash landed in the snow just outside of Olne, Belgium. The rest of the crew survived the crash landing.

Ssgt. Jay L. Adams was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Army Air Medal.

Ssgt. Jay L. Adams was buried in the Olne Cemetery, Olne, Belgium near the crash site. His remains were later transferred to the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Rue du Memorial American 159, 4852 Hombourg, Liege, Belgium.

On October 7, 1948, the remains of Ssgt. Jay L. Adams was removed from the Henry-Chapelle American Cemetery and transported to the Port of Antwerp for the trip to the United States of America. Three months later, his casket arrived in Sentinel, Oklahoma via train.

Final interment was in the Sentinel Cemetery, Sentinel, Oklahoma. Ssgt. Jay L. Adams was accorded full military honors. His 4-year-old daughter, Lois Janet Adams received the folded flag that had draped his casket.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org ). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery to read these stories. 

"If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact me at [email protected]."

SBTSProject/Kansas/Sedgwick

Sources

Findagrave Site SSGT Jay Lee "JL" Adams Sr. (1916-1945) - Find a Grave Memorial

Grave marker 65752710_130447661166.jpg (640×356) (findagrave.com)

Photo w/wife 65752710_137296598279.jpg (1756×2306) (findagrave.com)

Photo w/air crew 65752710_136411090541.jpg (665×507) (findagrave.com)

Photo of memorial 65752710_133850010697.jpg (600×450) (findagrave.com)

Photo of crash site 65752710_136411146363.jpg (4320×3108) (findagrave.com)

Photos of family 65752710_1472766899.jpg (3386×3578) (findagrave.com)

65752710_1472767077.jpg (3392×3618) (findagrave.com)

https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/86648465:2442?tid=&pid=&queryId=0188c4eb209201b8af15d354f9355f8a&_phsrc=uui51&_phstart=successSource

Marriage Record https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/63404811:61379

Headstone Application https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/959580:2375

Draft Card https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/13717577:2238

Death Reported https://www.newspapers.com/image/904868210/?terms=jay%20l%20adams&match=1

Award Report https://www.newspapers.com/image/904868194/?terms=jay%20l%20adams&match=1

Story location: Wichita, KansasStory date: 10 Feb 2023

Added by: lenz6587