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Submit- Full
name
BARRY, John Kevin - Date of
birth
22 December 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
New York City, New York -
Hometown
Manhattan, New York County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32983857 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 May 1944 - Place of
death
Rennau, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 6 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James J. Barry (father)
Helen Barry (mother)
Ann M. Barry (sister)
Michael Barry (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31213 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Pistol Packin' Mama
Destination: Halberstadt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Junkers aviation industry
MACR: 5341
More information
Sgt John K. Barry enlisted in New York City, New York on 14 July 1943.The airplane dropped behind after crossing the Dutch border into Germany. The #2 engine was smoking slightly at bombs away and was feathered when smoking became violent. On the second bomb run the pilot, Lt Van Weelden, was unable to make the turn and dropped behind the formation. His lagging B-17 was spotted by a ME-109 who inflicted additional damage.
Five crew members bailed out and were taken prisoner. Four men were killed in the crash. Their remains were found near the crashed airplane. Lt Van Weelden believed long time that they were murdered by the Germans because he had flown the airplane a long distance after he believed the entire crew had bailed out.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, 303rdBomberGroup.com, The Margraten Boys (2012) by Peter Schrijvers, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: 303rdBomberGroup.com, www.ancestry.com - Power Memorial Academy 1943