James L. Cannon
Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 25 December 1941, then-Staff Sergeant James L. Cannon was serving in the 14th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Far East Air Force.

On that day, SSG Cannon was serving as a crew member of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber participating in a bombing mission against Japanese targets in the Southwest Pacific Area. SSG Cannon's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Aircrew Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Staff Sergeant James L. Cannon (ASN: 6254686), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Member of the Crew of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 14th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FAR EAST Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 December 1941, against enemy Japanese targets in Southwest Pacific Area. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Cannon on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 33 (September 12, 1942)

Burial

Technical Sergeant James L. Cannon is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI, in Plot: B, 665.

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