Piloted One Of The Bombers Against The Japanese In The Battle Of Midway

The pilot of one of four B-26 bombers that took off from Midway Island to help turn back an invading Japanese fleet in 1942 has passed away in Billings, MT. James Muri was 93.

MSN relays a report from The Billings Gazette that Muri died of natural causes on Sunday. During the battle, Muri's plane was hit, and three crewmen were wounded. After launching a torpedo at a Japanese aircraft carrier, Muri reportedly flew the crippled B-26 down the centerline of the ship's flight deck to avoid its anti-aircraft fire. All of the guns were pointed outward, and could not turn to train on his airplane.

When he finally crash-landed back on Midway, more than 500 bullet holes were found in Muri's airplane. He and the crew were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2003. Muri was presented with the Jimmy Doolitttle Award for outstanding service to the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Midway was considered one of the turning points of the war in the Pacific. The carrier Muri attacked was one of four sunk by Allied forces in that battle. The Japanese also lost a heavy cruiser, 291 airplanes, and 4,800 men. U.S. losses were considerably lower.

(B-26 pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/midway/midway.htm