HONORED TO SERVE

TEXT: IAN GRIFFIN PHOTOS: ANDY CALVERT

THE RESIDENTS OF RENAISSANCE MARQUIS FORM A VIBRANT COMMUNITY. ONE OF THEIR OWN, JAMES “JIM” MCCUBBIN WAS RECENTLY HONORED FOR HIS VALOR IN WWII.

ON MARCH 3RD 2023, RESIDENTS OF RENAISSANCE MARQUIS AND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS GATHERED TO CELEBRATE THE 102ND BIRTHDAY OF JAMES

“JIM” MCCUBBIN. It was a festive setting worthy of a 102nd birthday, with cake, balloons, and punch on display. While climbing the threedigit ladder for years on this earth is plenty of a reason to throw a party, this birthday was made even more extraordinary because Mr. McCubbin was being inducted into the Georgia Military Hall of Fame. Mr. Larry Cooper stood at the podium on behalf of the Hall of Fame, to present Mr. McCubbin with The Certificate of Honor, and induct him into the Georgia Military Hall of Fame under the category of Valor.

Valor is defined by the GMHOF as- Heroic action or actions in combat for which an award or awards for heroism was awarded. Mr. McCubbin was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945, qualifying him to be inducted under the category of valor. Aside from his bravery and service, to qualify for the hall the veteran must have been honorably discharged from the military, be born in, entered the military while living in or lived in Georgia for at least 10 years.

Mr. McCubbin checked all those boxes, but one still must be nominated and the community and fellowship between the staff and residents at Renaissance Marquis is what makes it such a special place. So, it was no surprise that Resident Care Director/Assistant Executive Director Catie Mason took the time to send in a nomination letter after hearing Jim’s heroic stories about his time at war. So to open the ceremony it was Catie that took to the podium first, introducing Mr. Cooper who explained the purpose of the hall and what it means to be inducted.

As Mr. McCubbin sat on the front row with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, stories of his heroic actions including the dog fight that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II and a member of the Eighth Air Force, were told by Mr. Cooper.

He was a pilot of the P51 Mustang and flew on many missions in Germany during the war. In 1945 Mr. McCubbin’s missions were primarily to escort bombers and when given the chance on the way back to base they were allowed to find ground targets for strafing runs. One day the briefing officer announced that the mission was a deep penetration strafing operation. Due to the weather that day and the increased risk of this mission, Mr. McCubbin unfortunately watched as his roommate and friend was shot down. As the risk of the mission continued to increase due to cloud cover Mr. McCubbin decided he would make one more strafing run before returning to base.

On this last run his plane was hit in the wing and left a 2-foot diameter hole. Due to the damage, he was forced to bail out of the plain and once on the ground he was captured by German military. He spent only three months as a POW due to the war almost being over but to him those 3 months felt like 3 years. While in the war he received a flying ace and was credited for shooting down 9 enemy planes total.

He also received the Distinguished Flying

Cross for his extraordinary achievements while on a bomber escort mission over Germany on December 5, 1944. The military report for his actions during this mission read as follows.

AFTER THE CERTIFICATE OF HONOR WAS PRESENTED, THE CAKE WAS CUT, AND THE CELEBRATION BEGAN. What

a way to turn 102!

June 14, 2022

Dear Madam/Sir,

My name is Catie Mason, I am writing to you to nominate James “Jim” McCubbin to the Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame. He is a resident at the Renaissance Marquis Retirement Community located in Rome, Ga. I am wanting to nominate him for the category Valor. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945 for his heroic actions during his time in the war.

Mr. McCubbin has an incredible story, and I would like to share some of it with you. Mr. McCubbin is 101 years old and Mr. McCubbin is someone I consider a true hero. Nothing will ever be enough to thank him and others that have sacrificed so much so we can continue to be free, but this nomination is a small way to recognize those that have sacrificed and to say thank you.

Sincerely,

Catie Mason

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