Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: AKP on June 29, 2010, 09:28:52 PM
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A few months ago, our Scout Troop was invited to the home of James Sipple... a member of the church we are chartered to, and a WW2 veteran. Jim was a waist gunner on a B-24... The "Sleepy Time Gal", and flew with the 461st Bomb Group. Jim was shot down 25 July 1944, and spent the rest of the war as a POW.
In his basement, Jim has a whole room dedicated to his Bomb Group, his plane, and maps with all the missions he flew. He has a piece of the bomb bay doors of his plane, that the pilot of his bomber retrieved from a barn in Germany after the war. He also still has the cigarette packs he took notes on while he was a POW.
As the boys crowded around the memorabilia, Jim told them his story.... some of which can be found here:
http://www.15thaf.org/49th_BW/461st_BG//Kriegsgefangenen/james_e_sipple.htm
A few weeks later, during a Sunday service, Troop 493 honored Mr. Sipple by presenting him a certificate of appreciation, a medal, and making him an honorary member of the Troop.
This morning, June 29th, 2010... James Sipple passed away after a long, and hard fought battle with cancer. Jim was a good man, a good friend, and a great American. His passing saddens me greatly, and he will be sorely missed.
Salute to you Jim... :salute
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:salute :pray
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:saluteThanks for sharing that.
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Yes, thanks for sharing this.
:salute
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:salute and now he is :airplane: with the :angel:
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:salute He is indeed flying with :angel:.
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Fair skies and tailwinds forever. :salute
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Thank you for your sentiments. My son and I attended Jim's funeral Friday morning in uniform. He received full military honors at the cemetery. There wasnt a dry eye as taps was played to honor his passing. :salute
Here is the obituary posted in our local paper:
James Earl Sipple, 88, of the Woodlyn section of Ridley Township, a World War II prisoner of war, died June 29 at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, he was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School.
Mr. Sipple was a freight agent for American Airlines before his retirement then worked part time for Riddle Memorial Hospital in Middletown.
An Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he was a waist gunner on the B-24 bomber, “Sleepy Time Gal,” with the 461st Bomber Group in Italy when he was shot down and taken prisoner until the end of the war.
Mr. Sipple volunteered at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Elsmere, Del., enjoyed Air Force reunions and created a museum of his military service memorabilia in his home that he shared with Boy Scout troops. He was a member of Christ Methodist Church of Middletown and a former member of Providence Avenue United Methodist Church in Chester, where he supported youth groups and belonged to the bowling team.
Mr. Sipple enjoyed spending time with his friends and family members and sharing his experience with them.
He was the widower of Anna Jane Sipple. Mr. Sipple was the son of the late Earl and Keturah Sipple and brother of the late Bert Sipple and Grace Weaver.
Survivors: Sons, Ken J. Sipple of the Gradyville section of Edgmont, Ray T. Sipple of Brookhaven; brother, Robert Sipple of Earleville, Md.
Service: 11 a.m. Friday, James M. Brower Funeral Home, routes 320 and 252, Nether Providence.
Visitation: 9:30-11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery, Aston.
Contributions: Christ United Methodist Church, 600 Dutton Mill Road, Brookhaven, PA 19015.
http://delcotimes.com/articles/2010/07/01/obituaries/doc4c2c02fb445fe767913626.txt