Oral history of James Wall
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by John Richter with Captain James Wall on March 18, 2014. Born on March 18, 1920, Wall served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. After graduating from Texas A&M, he was called to active duty in 1941, initially serving in the War Department before transferring to flight training and becoming a fighter pilot.
Wall talks about flying P-51 Mustangs in combat missions over India, Burma, and China. He describes engaging in dogfights, engaging bombers, and striking enemy supply lines. During a mission in China, his plane was damaged by friendly fire, forcing him to bail out. He was captured by Chinese soldiers and given over to the Japanese and spent nine months as a prisoner of war. He details the harsh conditions of captivity before his eventual liberation at the war's end.
2014-03-18