The Boy Who Remembered a WWII Death: Inside the James Leininger Reincarnation Case
- Ryan O'Neill
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
What happens when a child describes a death he couldn’t possibly know—down to the ship, the island, and the men who were there? This is the story of James Leininger, whose early childhood nightmares and matter‑of‑fact statements led his family deep into the archives of World War II aviation—and, ultimately, to a moment of healing on a remote Pacific island.
I looked at the James Leininger Reincarnation Case over 12 years ago and shared the original news story with our YouTube subscribers. The video garnered nearly 300k views, showcasing the immense power of the case on people.
The Nightmares Begin
James’s parents, Bruce and Andrea, first noticed two threads: a laser‑focused interest in WWII aircraft and a series of harrowing night terrors. He’d wake shouting about a burning plane and a “little man” trapped inside—then physically act out being stuck, kicking his feet as if pushing at a cockpit canopy. These scenes repeated, vivid and precise.
Details a Child Shouldn’t Know
When asked simple questions, James answered simply: his plane was shot down by the Japanese; he took off from a boat; the boat’s name sounded like “Noma.” He said his name was James. His drawings weren’t random: carriers, dogfights, bombs, parachutes—the visual language of WWII he shouldn’t have possessed at that age.
Putting Claims to the Test
Determined to disprove coincidence, Bruce contacted veterans from the carrier later verified as the USS Natoma Bay. A veteran recounted a pilot named Jim (James) Huston being hit, the engine erupting in flames, and the aircraft going down. Soon after, when James met Natoma Bay veterans, he recognised them by name—including Bob Greenwald—despite having never met them before. (These identity anchors are what make the case enduring in paranormal research circles.)
Family Threads Only Relatives Know
The family located Huston’s sister, Annie. James insisted she had an older sister, Ruth, and used a childhood nickname—details that resonated with the family’s private history. One striking exchange: James thanked Annie for sending a childhood portrait of Huston painted by their mother—then asked, “Where’s the one she painted of you?” Annie later found the matching portrait, something almost no one outside the family knew about.
The Pilgrimage to Chichi Jima
Japanese filmmakers invited the family to Chichi Jima, where Huston’s plane went down. From a ridge above the harbor, James pointed to the air routes and indicated where the crash occurred. During a flower‑drop memorial over the estimated wreck site, James broke down—then, afterward, seemed released. Back home, his drawings shifted from war and destruction to peaceful scenes. (This “closure effect” is often reported in past‑life casework.)
What the Parents Believe Now
The Leiningers say they didn’t believe in reincarnation before all this. Their book, Soul Survivor, shares their investigation and the emotional journey from fear to meaning. Whether you interpret this as reincarnation, psi, ancestral memory, or something not yet defined, the human story—of loss, recognition, and healing—speaks for itself.
Why This Case Sticks | James Leininger Reincarnation Case
Specifics, not generalities: ship name, pilot’s name, island, veterans, family artifacts.
Multiple verifications: veteran accounts, family recognition, geographical orientation on site.
Emotional resolution: measurable change in a child’s well‑being post‑memorial.
Open‑minded posture: parents’ journey from skepticism to “there’s a purpose here.”
For completeness, there are critical analyses that challenge aspects of the case’s chronology and interpretation, worth reading if you’re exploring all sides. We respect that inquiry and encourage you to review, reflect, and decide.
Join the Conversation
Do you know anyone who recalled names, places, or events from “another life”? Share your story in the comments, or privately via our contact page.
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Further Reading & Sources
UVA Division of Perceptual Studies: Tucker, J. “The Case of James Leininger.” (peer‑reviewed overview). UVA School of Medicine
Honor & Service records for Lt. (j.g.) James M. Huston Jr. (Natoma Bay, 1945). honorstates.org
Soul Survivor by Bruce & Andrea Leininger (Grand Central). reincarnation.theosophical.org
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