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Submit- Full
name
FLEEGE, John Forrest - Date of
birth
9 May 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Plymouth County, South Dakota -
Hometown
Union County, South Dakota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17070692 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
579th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
12 April 1944 - Place of
death
North Sea, 70 miles east off the coast of Dunkirk, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 3 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph C. Fleege (father)
Hazel B. (Milnes) Fleege (mother)
Maxine E. Fleege (sister)
Madonna M. Fleege (sister)
Joyce C. Fleege (sister)
Glen F. Fleege (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-109789 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Mairzy Doats
Destination: Zwickau, Germany
MACR: 4379
More information
Aircraft No. B-24, 42-109789 was hit by flak (70) miles east of Dunkirk at 1246 hours (hydraulic and interphone systems were knocked out). More flak was encountered over Dunkirk upon return and Sgt Fleege and Sgt Gellis jumped. Crew members report both parachutes opening and believe that both landed safely on the beach at Dunkirk, though the possibility remains that they landed in the water just off shore". A German casualty report #KU2666 reported the finding of Sgt Fleege’s body, washed ashore near Ostend on 14 April, and identified by dog tags. No report was given for the other member, Sgt Gellis.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Peter Schouteten