By Deborah Larsen
James Jerome Fetterly
James Jerome “Jim” Fetterly was born in Troy, Michigan, on October 2, 1924, the son of Lawrence and Mary Duggan Fetterly. He attended Rochester High School and graduated in the class of 1942.
Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in November 1942. He was assigned to the 844th and 845th Bomb Squadrons of the 489th Bombardment Group. The 489th flew the B-24 Liberator and was tasked with the strategic bombing of enemy factories, refineries, and airfields. Jim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his service.
After the war, Jim married and started a family. He worked for Consumers Power Company for 38 years, retiring as a supervisor in 1985.
James Jerome Fetterly died at the age of 75 on January 4, 2000, and was laid to rest in Marine City, Michigan.