Station HYPO

Lieutenant Commander James Overstreet was the pilot of the EC-121M that was shot down by North Korea.

Lieutenant Commander James H. Overstreet was born on April 10, 1935 in Brooklyn, Mississippi.  Married to the former Mary Ruth Taylor, they had four sons, Joe, Howard, Daniel and James.

LCDR Overstreet was the Electronic Warfare Aircraft Commander of EC-121M surveillance aircraft (callsign: Deep Sea 129)flying in support of a peacetime aerial reconnaissance program. On April 15, 1969, while on a surveillance mission over the Sea of Japan in support of the Korean truce, the aircraft LCDR Overstreet was flying was shot down. All 31 crewmen were reported missing and were presumed dead on May 2, 1969.  Two bodies were recovered.

LCDR Overstreet’s awarded include:
Purple Heart Medal
Air Medal (8)
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (3)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Note: LCDR Overstreet was nominated for the Navy Cross medal, but it was disapproved.

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The following is a letter was provided by Joe Overstreet, son of James Overstreet: