POW Jim McMubbin

Jim McCubbin, a WWII P51 Mustang fighter pilot shot down many planes during his service. He was shot down during a battle in 1945 and was held for 4 months as a Prisoner of War in Germany. McCubbin served as a member of the Eighth Air Force in the United States Air Force during World War II.

“Mr. McCubbin often talks of his time in the Air Force and of his memories in the cockpit of the P51 Mustang,” said Catie Mason, LPN, Assistant Executive Director at Renaissance Marquis. “These memories mean a lot to him.”

He shot down 9 planes before he was shot down and declared a Prisoner of War. He was put in a sweat box for three days as they decided that he would become an ordinary Prisoner of War. After a while of being held there as a Prisoner of War, he and a few of his buddies escaped and found a farmhouse where a nice lady took them in. She scrounged up some sauerkraut for them to eat. “I will never forget the generosity and courage that she had,” McCubbin explained.

Now 101 years old, McCubbin still fondly recalls the feeling that he had while sitting in the cockpit of his P51 Mustang.

“The long-awaited radio call, ‘Gentlemen start your engines!’ The memory of emotions at that moment, even after these fifty years, is still strong enough to bring tears to my eyes,” said McCubbin. “The thrill of 50 Rolls Royce, 12-cylinder, 1600 horsepower engines, coughing and struggling to catch enough fuel to start. The first deep-throated roar, as one caught, was quickly reinforced by an ever-increasing thunder until the whole field shook and vibrated. These feelings never diminished, even after 44 missions, which equated to almost 200 combat hours.”

Mr. McCubbin has lived at Renaissance Marquis in Rome, Ga. since 2010. We are thankful to have him as one of our residents and have been honored to hear his stories over the last 13 years. We are thankful for his service to our country,” said Allen Chambers, senior executive director of Renaissance Marquis.

 

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