James R. Fife, a Needham resident for 54 years, died on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Brockton. He was 86 years old.

Born and raised in Dorchester, Jim was the son of the late James H. and Ethel A. Fife.

Jim joined the Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was living in Panama, working on the Canal as a citizen. Two months later he returned to the states so he could enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was first based out of Fort Devens and went to Basic Training in Alantic City, then to aircraft engine school in North Carolina. He was later assigned to Boise,Idaho where he became the top turret gunner in a B24.

He later was sent to Italy with his crew in 1944. Jim was in the 450th bomb group in the 720th bomb squadron.

He was the flight engineer gunner of his group and their mission was a bombing in Italy which they did successfully. Their next mission was not so successful. Their plane was flying in a target area near Austria to bomb a base that built fighter planes for the Germans. On their approach to the target they were shot down. Three of his crew were killed instantly and a fourth died on the ground. As Jim was coming down his parachute caught on a tree near a mountain in the Alps. The parachute flung him out like slingshot and snapping him back into the mountain, injuring him to the point causing him to be numb from the waist down. He was quickly captured and taken to Weiner Neustadt, a small new state in Germany. He was later sent to Stalag Luft IV. Jim's parent were notified that he had been killed in action. However six months later they were notified that his classification was changed to Missing In Action and finally informed he was a Prisoner of War and alive. After thirteen months as a POW Jim was sent home when America achieved victory over Europe.The troops were welcomed home as heroes. He was honorably discharged 1945.

He received the EAME Theater Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars as well as the Purple Heart. Jim spent 25 years as an airplane mechanic, 5 years at Westover AFB in Chicopee and 20 years at Hanscom AFB in Bedford. He was also a former 12 year employee of the Boston Globe.

Jim was a member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Mass Chapter #1 where he served as the Commander for 4 years. He was a member of the DAV as well as the Lt. Manson H. Carter VFW Post 2498. Jim and his wife Lillian volunteered on Tuesdays for many years at the West Roxbury VA Hospital, serving coffee and refreshments.

He was the beloved husband of Lillian (Matthews) Fife and the father of James R. Fife Jr. and his fiancé Sima Atefee of Watertown, Richard A. and his wife Marie of Millis and Thomas J. and his wife Linda of Franklin. Grandfather of Marissa, Matthew and Carly. Uncle of Sharon Silk and Joanne Weiner.

Funeral from the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Monday November 23 at 9Am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours on Sunday from 3-7 PM. Interment with Military Honors MA National Cemetery, Bourne on Monday at 2:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers donation in Jim's name may be made to the Boston Fisher House Foundation Inc., PO Box 230 South Walpole MA 02071.

Source: Unknown (contributed without attribution)