Captain James W Browning and ground crew by his P-51D “Gentleman Jim” 44-14937, B6-P
Captain James W. Browning
Syracuse, Kansas
357th Fighter Group, 363rd Fighter Squadron
Jim Browning was born on Oct. 21 1917. Joined the Army Air Corp and received his wings on Aug. 17 1943. He also joined the 363rd Fighter Squadron while it was in training at Tonopah Nev. He was assigned to my flight both in training and in combat. Later, he became a Flight leader and was officially credited with 7 aerial kills.
Jim was the fun loving guy. He named his P-51 Mustang “Gentleman Jim” that was quite befitting although he had a small speck of the devil in him also. He was an excellent pilot and honed his skills with great determination. He could always be depended upon to be there when you needed him. We were great friends.
Captain Browning finished his first tour in August 1944 and after a short R & R he returned to the 363rd in November and started his second tour. On Feb. 9 1945 he was reported Missing in Action when he failed to return from an escort mission. Last seen near Wurges, Germany. Captain Browning’s flight was engaged in a fierce dog fight with ME-262’s. Captain Bockay was there also and shot down two German jet fighters but never saw Jim’s plane again. Apparently, he was involved in a fatal mid air collision with a ME262. He had two more missions to fly to complete his second tour. Captain Browning’s decorations include three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Purple Heart, eight Air Medals and the French Croix de Guerre. by Bud Anderson
Captain Jim Browning in his P-51B, 43-6563, code B6-P, Gentleman Jim
Captain James Browning
Captain James Browning
Captain Browning and Captain Bud Anderson and fellow 363rd pilot.
Fly over Jack Roush's restored P-51D "Gentleman Jim"
Jack Roush's P-51D "Gentleman Jim"
"Gentleman Jim" with Jack Roush's 1939 Staff Car at Oshkosh, WI
Jack Roush and Bud Anderson doing a Warbird in Review at Air Venture, Oshkosh, WI
P-51D restored as "Gentleman Jim"
P-51D "Gentleman Jim" on takeoff departing on a mission!
Jim Browning's P-51B, 43-6563, Code B6-P, "Gentleman Jim" Lost 19 Jun 44 with Lt John Childs, KIA
Jim Browning’s Flight Cap – 60 years later.
Captain Jim Browning’s Last Mission by Don Bochkay
A Collection of WWII Newspaper Articles on Jim Browning Collected by his Sister Kathryn
Captain Jim Browning’s Crash Site Found by Jim Anderson
This beautiful plaque was dedicated to Captain James Browning at the Syracuse, KS, Airport on 2 October, 2021.
