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name
KEARNS, John Gerard "jack - Date of
birth
27 June 1915 -
Age
29 -
Place of birth
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City, New York -
Hometown
Essex County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O2058355 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
81st Squadron,
436th Troop Carrier Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 March 1945 - Place of
death
Near Wesel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 12 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John T. Kearns (father)
Mary A. (McKenna) Kearns (mother)
Geraldine M. Kearns (sister)
Mary I. (McGuire) Kearns (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-42008 -
Data
Type: GG-4A- Glider
Destination: Wesel, Germany
Mission: Glider Landing
MACR: 13363
More information
"The glider was released from the tow plane and is known to have reached its destination. The pilot is in a hospital, the whereabouts of said hospital is unknown."2nd Lt Kearns was first reported missing in action but his status had been changed to killed in action when further investigation revealed that the body of 2nd Lt Kearns was evacuated through division evacuation channels to the Ninth United States Army Military Cemetery Margraten where he was buried on 29 March 1945.
Source of information: André Koch, Leslie Ann Taggard, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Records / Family Trees
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Leslie Ann Taggard, Arie-Jan van Hees, Glider Pilot Class 43 South Plains AAF Lubbock Texas