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Personal info

Full name
DE ROSA, John A
Date of birth
23 July 1924
Age
19
Place of birth
Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
Hometown
Pierce County, Washington

Military service

Service number
39207368
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
705th Bombardment Squadron,
446th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
21 July 1944
Place of death
Langemühle, 5km SE of Pirmasens, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 2 57

Immediate family

Members
Geatano De Rosa (father)
Rosa De Rosa (mother)
Frank De Rosa (brother)
Caroline De Rosa (sister)
James De Rosa (brother)
Ernest De Rosa (brother)
Mary De Rosa (sister)
Robert De Rosa (brother)
Violet J. (Inman) De Rosa (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-51257
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: -
Destination: Munich, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 7248

More information

Sgt John A. De Rosa enlisted from Seattle, Washington on 22 April 1943.
At 0815 hours this ship was heard on the radio by another aircraft in the formation. Pilot of missing ship stated that he had runway propellor and would not attempt to catch 446th formation but would join another outfit, was not turning back, needed to help. Receiving pilot called ship 10 minutes later but received no answer.
Cause of loss: the a/c was hit by flak and caught on fire. It crashed, killing 8 of the crew members. One man was captured.

Source of information: Luc van der Sterren, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census

Photo source: Jac Engels