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name
KOVACS, John J - Date of
birth
1918 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Highland Park, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32260641 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
349th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 March 1944 - Place of
death
Uptloh-Quackenbrück, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 36 | 52 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Wendell Kovacs (father)
Elizabeth Kovacs (mother)
Pat Valdata (Niece)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31731 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of Friedrichstrasse railroad station
MACR: 3019
More information
T/Sgt John J. Kovacs graduated from New Brunswick High School and worked in a Johnson and Johnson warehouse before he enlisted at fort Dix, New Jersey on 19 March 1942.The airplane was attacked by enemy fighters and went down with engines smoking in slow spirals. Four parachutes were seen.
Nine crew members were killed and were initially buried at the Luthern cemetery of Quakenbruck. One crew member was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.archives.gov - World War II Army Enlistment Record, www.8thafhs.com, www.newspapers.com - The Central New Jersey Home News
Photo source: Michel Beckers