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name
ROBERTS, John Joseph - Date of
birth
1 February 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11070516 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
708th Bombardment Squadron,
447th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
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
George L. Roberts (father)
May F. Roberts (mother)
George L. Roberts (brother)
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 for leaving formation is unknown. The aircraft was under control when last observed. At 1439 hours, the MFDF section gave the aircraft's position at 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 42-3208I.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Herman Wolters, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Patrick Jansen