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name
VAIL, John Joseph - Date of
birth
8 October 1908 -
Age
34 - Place of
birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois -
Hometown
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36397667 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
412th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
11 June 1943 - Place of
death
Coordinates: 54°10 north, 05°40 east
North Sea
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Winifred H. Vail (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29693 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Lonesome Polecat
Destination: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat submarine yard
MACR: 2807
More information
T/Sgt John J. Vail was a teller at the Hyde Park National Bank.He enlisted in Chicago, Illinois, on 27 March 1942.
On the route back over the North Sea, approximately 25 miles out off the coast of Germany, and under enemy fighter attack, the plane left formation and was seen to spin down, out of control, exploding on hitting the water and sinking immediately. Two to four parachutes were reported as seen leaving the plane, but eventually, all of the crew members were reported missing in action.
Six crew members are remembered on the Walls of the Missing at Margraten: Richard C. Miller, John J. Vail, Windell D. Neely, John F. Davoren, Stanley D. Bennett, and George E. Babich.
Four crew members are remembered on the Walls of the Missing at Cambridge: Malcolm B. Mac Kinnon, Eugene W. Wood, Richard M. Cavanaugh, and Alexander A. Mareck.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.newspapers.com - Suburbanite Economist, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Fred Munckhof, Sam E. Pennartz, www.newspapers.com - Suburbanite Economist, Family collection