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name
GRAY, Jack James - Date of
birth
7 June 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Landisburg, Perry County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
T-130074 -
Rank
Flight Officer -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
751st Bombardment Squadron,
457th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 November 1944 - Place of
death
Böhmerwold, 5 miles west of Leer, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 12 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Laura (Walker) Spotts (mother)
Roy M. Spotts (stepfather)
Grace L. Spotts (half-sister)
Margaret G. Spotts (half-sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38904 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Harburg oil refinery
MACR: 10343
More information
Jack J. Gray graduated from Landisburg High School and was employed by a steel company before he enlisted in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on 23 Jauanry 1943.He graduated from a navigation school in Hondo, Texas on 26 July 1944 and was sent to England on 21 October 1944.
The aircraft was hit by flak right after the turn a the IP. The airplane left the group and was not seen again.
Eight crew members were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Böhmerswold. One crew member was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, NARA, Homepage - The 457th Bomb Group (H) Association (457thbombgroupassoc.org), www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File / 1940 Census, www.newspapers.com - The News-Sun, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: Homepage - The 457th Bomb Group (H) Association (457thbombgroupassoc.org)