James P. Lilligren

1922 - 2009

James P. Lilligren was born February 27, 1922, in St Louis Park, Minnesota and passed away June 27, 2009, in Long Beach, CA. After graduating from St Louis Park High School, he and his friend Joel Farm moved to California where they spent much time in Manhattan Beach. At the start of WWII, James joined the Army Air Corps and was awarded his pilot wings to fly B-17's. He was assigned to Foggia, Italy flying with the 301 BG of the 15th Air Force. On July 26, 1944, during his 36th mission, his and ten other B-17's were shot down over Ratten, Austria. During the attack, six of ten crew members died and James was severely burned with multiple other injuries. He spent the next 10 months at Stalag Luft 1 in Barth, Germany as a POW. The attack was later extensively researched by Austrian historian Christian Arzberger. This research can be viewed at www.301bg.com/pictures/Lilligrencrewfor301.pdf. James was awarded the Purple Heart and the Flying Medal with clusters. On August 10, 1945, James married his longtime sweetheart, Lois Erickson of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The couple moved to California and settled in Manhattan Beach in 1946. Here, James and Lois raised their family. He was active at Trinity Lutheran Church, Boy Scouts, and little league. James worked at various accounting and financial positions with Western Gear Corporation and in 1982 moved to Fresno to work for P & R Farms. After retirement, James and Lois spent the next 19 summers traveling 49 States and 7 Canadian provinces in their motor home, visiting friends, fishing, and "doing what I want to do when I want to do it". He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Lois. He is survived by his daughters, Debra Bulante (Rod), Teresa, Sagrario Carlson (David); son, Tim (Birgit); grandchildren, Heather, Mariah, Hannah, Nicholas, Nathan, Alexandra, Olivia, Christina, Erik; great-grandchildren, Tristen and Jaden; his waist gunner, Ira Lewis; his bombardier, Abner Green; and many other family members and friends. James was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery on July 2. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. July 25, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1340 11th Street in Manhattan Beach. James requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be given to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 96188, Washington D.C., 20077-7338 or other veteran organizations. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.