Ironically, as I was about to post this article, the Pensacola News Journal published a story on this same local hero. Therefore, I urge anyone wanting to read further on this young man's sacrifice you might want to purchase the book "Lost in Heaven" by Leo Murphy. I'm sure it's a great read! It's available at Hawsey's Book Store on Navy Blvd., UWF Historic Trust Musuem Store, or online at bluewaterpress.com/heavne. James Reed Polkinghorne Jr. was born on June 16, 1921 in Pensacola to the union of James Sr. and Maggie Polkinghorne. His father supported his family as a proprietor of a drugstore and they owned their house at 523 North Reus Street.
After graduating from Washington High School in 1939 James Jr. enrolled in Florida A&M college. He dropped out of college in his junior year and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on May 31, 1942. He graduated from flight school at the Tuskegee Air Field in Class 43-B on February 16, 1943. He was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Squadron of the 477th Bombardment Group. They were made up of strictly African American personnel and became known as the "Tuskegee Airmen."
The 332nd Fighter Groups was designated the first black flying group and was comprised of the 100th, 301st, and the 302nd Squadrons. James was attached to the 301st and was sent to Italy in early 1944. James Jr. was flying a P-39 Airacobra fighter and was killed before the squadron received their new P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft or their later P-51 Mustangs that became known as the "Red Tails."
On May 5, 1944, James took off on a combat mission and somewhere near Sezze, Italy when he flew under a low cloud cover and was never seen again. Fellow pilots saw flashes, but whether it was antiaircraft fire from the Germans or mechanical will never be known. Neither his aircraft or his body was ever recovered. His parents were notified of his loss and his name is located on a plaque at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial.
