Submitted by RWB Wesley F Revels, St. Joseph Lodge No.78
Heroes And Patriots Remembered
Br James M Hower Sr., 9/21/1921 - 11/1/2011
Br James M. Hower, Sr., 90, was born September 21, 1921 in Lincoln, Kansas to George and Luella Hower. He graduated Fort Hays State College and was a member of Phi Mu Alpha fraternity. He married Velma Marie Portschy in 1944. Following the war he completed his degree and was the Band Director at Russell, Kansas High School. Br Hower was an Equitable Life Insurance agent and district manager for the company retiring after 50 years service.Br Hower, was a U.S. combat Air Corps pilot serving as a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot in the 8th Air Force, 384th Bomb Group. He flew 30 missions and attained the rank of First Lieutenant. He received the Army Air Medal and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying the lead ship during an 8th Air Force combat mission over NAZI Germany. He was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society serving as president of the Missouri chapter and national president.
The above video is the WW2 8th Air Force Documentary, "All The Fine Young Men", From the Human History Archive. This video published Jan. 17th 2013 on U-Tube. This video includes the disastrous "Black Thursday" bombing raid on Schweinfurt, Germany in October 1943.
Missouri Grand Lodge records show Br Hower was initiated into the Mysteries of Freemasonry on February 5th 1948 at the Hayes KS Masonic Lodge, Passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft on March 5th and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on May 27th of the same year. After relocating to St. Joseph, Missouri through a promotion as District Manager of the Equitable Insurance Company, he transferred his membership to St. Joseph Lodge No.78, September 21st, 1971. Br Hower was awarded recognition for 50 continuous years as a Freemason June 25th 1999.
In St. Joseph, he was active in the Pony Express Council, Boy Scouts of America for many years, serving as Robidoux District Chairman on multiple occasions, and the Council Executive Board. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for service on the Council level. He was a Chieftain in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, honor camping society at Camp Geiger.
