Belmar Honors WWII Soldier Sgt. James Joseph Burton on 82nd Anniversary of His Death

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On February 16, 2026, the town of Belmar, New Jersey is remembering one of its own, Sgt. James Joseph Burton, who died on this day in 1944 while serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Sgt. Burton was just 21 years old when the B-17 bomber he was training on crashed near Wimauma, Florida, killing all 12 airmen aboard.

Why it matters

Though Sgt. Burton's death was classified as 'Died in Service – Non Battle,' his sacrifice was no less real, as thousands of young Americans perished in stateside training exercises during WWII before ever reaching the front lines. Belmar's remembrance of Sgt. Burton honors the service and sacrifice of all those who gave their lives in defense of their country.

The details

Sgt. Burton was stationed at MacDill Field in South Tampa, Florida, training as a bomber waist gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress. On February 16, 1944, he and 11 fellow airmen were conducting a combat training flight when their aircraft crashed near Wimauma, Florida, killing all aboard. Sgt. Burton was born on May 9, 1922 in New Brunswick, New Jersey and lived in Belmar with his parents Robert and Sophia by 1940.

• Sgt. Burton died on February 16, 1944.
• Sgt. Burton was laid to rest at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Trenton on February 22, 1944.
• Belmar is remembering Sgt. Burton on the 82nd anniversary of his death on February 16, 2026.