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name
BLAIR, Joe Frank - Date of
birth
28 July 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Heavener, Le Flore County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Redlands, San Bernardino County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-806391 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
853rd Bombardment Squadron,
491st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 January 1945 - Place of
death
Hamburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 31 | 12 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Will N. Blair (father)
Sue E. (Catt) Bair (mother)
Will N. Blair (brother)
Robert J. Blair (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-51481 -
Data
Type: B-24 J
Mission: Aerial combat
Macr: 11735
More information
Information received at interrogation:A/C (Bar V) 481, was observed to be hit by flak over Hamburg at 1211 hours between number 3 and 4 engines. Immediately thereafter the wing broke off between these 2 engines and the aircraft went into a flat spin and exploded. One chute was observed.
His brother Will served with the Air Corps in Italy and was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross..
Source of information: Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, Missing Air Crew Report 11735, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census / WWII Draft Card, www.newspapers.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com