Second Lieutenant James Hudson Marrah

Second Lieutenant James Hudson Marrah was born on January 9, 1921, and gave his life for his country on August 1, 1943. A graduate of London High School in London Ohio, he was the oldest of seven children in the Marrah family and has been remembered as a hero to us all. Eighty years and two days after the B-24 bomber he was co-piloting was shot down, his remains were identified by a team of medical specialists serving the families of all military personnel missing in action.

James entered the military on February 17, 1941. He served in the United States Army Air Force, 415th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force and was the co-pilot of the B-24 Liberator B=bomber Yentu. 2LT Marrah fearlessly undertook his mission in Operation Tidal Wave to target the oil refineries of Ploesti, Romania (referred to by some as “Hitler’s gas stations”), on August 1, 1943. The goal of the mission was to cripple the crucial supply of oil and fuel from the Ploesti Oil Fields that supplied the German war machine. His unwavering courage and dedication to duty exemplified the highest ideals of service to country. In the face of danger, 2LT Marrah’s sacrifice and commitment to defend his country has stood as a beacon of bravery to his family, country, and all who knew him.

It was the heroic effort of James and his co-pilot LT Edward McGuire to continue flying a heavily damaged airplane that allowed three men to bail out and survive the B- 24 crash. Robert Rans, one of the survivors who met with family members in 1999, confirmed the effort of “Jimmy’s last dying gasp” to increase the altitude enough for him to parachute to the ground safely, a shining example of one of many reasons James was a hero. Rans credited Jimmy and Lt. McGuire with the gift of his long and happy life after August 1, 1943. The awards and decorations he earned included the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), American Defense Service Medal, European- African- Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and three Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and U.S. Army Force Pilot Wings.

He was survived at the time of his death by his parents, Patrick Ambrose and Elizabeth (Fadre) Marrah; his wife Kathleen “Kay” (Tope) Marrah; sister Marianna Flynn (Edward); brother William (Penny); sister Florence Swyers (George); brother John (Priscilla); brother Richard (Patricia); and brother Robert (Jayne). Jayne Marrah is the only living member of that generation. His surviving family includes many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great grand nieces and great grand nephews, who never had the honor and pleasure to meet him, but have always been inspired by him. James’s family has long awaited the day he would return, and celebrates his homecoming- mission accomplished.

The family wishes to thank the US military, specifically the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Past Reparations Branch for not giving up on identifying and returning casualties of war home to their families. Specifically, the family is grateful for the return of 2LT James H. Marrah, a decorated war hero, whose remains are returning to be buried in his hometown of London, Ohio, on May 25, 2024.

Family invites friends to call at the London Community Center, 60 South Walnut, London, Ohio 43140, from 11:30am to 12:30pm, with a funeral service to immediately follow. Interment to follow at Kirkwood Cemetery. To enter the parking lot located behind the community center we ask that you use the entrance off School Street or First Street. If you will not be participating in the procession to the cemetery, there will be parking available behind the Community Center and also at Lynch Family Funeral Home, 124 East High Street, London, Ohio 43140.