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Personal info

Full name
DEWBERRY, John Paul
Date of birth
5 April 1909
Age
35
Place of birth
Gwinnett County, Georgia
Hometown
The Bronx, Bronx County, New York

Military service

Service number
32962001
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
708th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
4 November 1944
Place of death
English Channel

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
John T. Dewberry (father)
Ora (Pratt) Dewberry (mother)
Daisy Hewett Dewberry (sister)
Thomas P. Dewberry (brother)
Mildred M. Dewberry (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-32081
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Yellow Cab
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
MACR: 10162

More information

The aircraft left formation at approximately 5350N-0820E at 1140 hours. No flak had been encountered up to this point, and the cause of leaving formation is unknown. The aircraft was under control when last observed. At 1459 hours, the MFDF section gave the aircraft's position as 5230N-0325E and stated that the aircraft was about to ditch. P-51s were sent to search the area. The search was unsuccessful and was terminated by darkness. The search was continued the morning of 5 November 1944 due to a gale the night before. Eight Sterlings and four Warwicks continued the search, and at 5250N-0350E, wreckage and an empty dinghy were located with no sign of any personnel. However, there was nothing found to confirm that this wreckage was aircraft 42-32081.

He is remembered at the Martins Chapel United Methodist Cemetery of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com
www.findagrave.com, Bud
Photo source:
Peter Schouteten