James Raley

James Andrew Raley was born in 1916 in Henderson, Kentucky, the eighth of nine children, six of whom survived. He grew up a farm boy, rode horses as effortlessly as walking, wrestled with his brothers, shot rifles, and learned the three “R’s” in a one room Catholic school.

Raley left the farm life behind in 1935 to join the Army and serve in Operation Torch, the amphibious invasion of North Africa. In 1943, determined to fulfill his childhood dream of flying, Raley transferred to the Army Air Forces as a tail gunner in the 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), never imagining how profoundly his life -- and the lives of many others -- would change, as he departed on the morning of his 13th mission.