James A. Willis, Jr. – First Lieutenant, United States Army

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3 ARMY OFFICERS DIE IN PLANE CRASH
Lieutenant J. A. Willis, Jr., Pilot; His Father, Major Willis, And Major J. A. Parker Killed
HIT FOG OVER VIRGINIA
March 20, 1933

WASHINGTON, March 19, 1933 – Lieutenant James A. Willis, Jr., and his two passengers, Major James A. Willis, Sr., his father, and Major John A. Parker, were killed late today when the Army transport plane in which they were flying crashed near Petersburg, Virginia.

The report was received here from Bolling Field, and the three men were identified after Army officials at the airport had been notified by Virginia State Police.

Bolling Field officials said Lieutenant Willis was flying in a fog toward Washington from Spartensburg, North Carolina.

All three men had apparently been killed instantly.  The body of Lieutenant Willis was pulled from the plane by a Negro farmer.  The two others were recovered later.

Both Major Willis and Major Parker were connected with the Judge Advocate General’s Department.

The plane was a C-19, single engine five passenger transport.

Lieutenant Willis had been flying in the Army service for about four years, airfield officials said.

The party had flown to the North Carolina field on Friday.

Lieutenant Willis was not married.

The widow of the elder Willis and their daughter, Margaret, reside in Washington, as does the widow of Major Parker.

Army officials said they were notifying the families.  The bodies will be brought to Washington, it was understood here, probably tomorrow.

Major Parker was a native of Harnett County, North Carolina, and was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1906.  During the World War he was connected with the Judge Advocate General’s office overseas and has since been stationed in Washington and for a while in Panama.

Major Willis, also 55 years old, was a native of Barnwell, South Carolina. During the Spanish-American War he served with the South Carolina Volunteers in Cuba.  Later he entered the Regular Army, attaining the rank of Colonel of Infantry during the World War.

Lieutenant Willis was 30 years old and was a native of South Carolina.  He was a graduate of primary and advanced flying schools and was rated as air pilot.

WILLIS, JAMES A JR
1ST LT AC USA SC

  • DATE OF DEATH: 03/19/1935
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 7  SITE 10026 SH
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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