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Personal info

Full name
MALONEY, John J Jr
Date of birth
17 July 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois
Hometown
Peoria County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
O-706218
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
613th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
28 May 1944
Place of death
unknown

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 12 19

Immediate family

Members
John J. Maloney, Sr. (father)
Flava Maloney (mother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-31557
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Dessau, Germany
MACR: 5308

More information

2nd Lt John J. Maloney, Jr. was a machine operator before he enlisted in Peoria, Illinois on 16 September 1942. He was sent overseas in January 1944.

This was the roughest mission of the 401st Bombardment Group's tour in the ETO. The Group furnished the Low Box of the 94th Combat Wing and was chosen as the focus of attack by approximately 200 enemy fighters. The attacks lasted for 40 minutes, from the I.P. through two runs at the target. As many as 60 enemy aircraft attacked in formation, using saturation tactics. As a result, all of the High Squadron but the Lead Aircraft were shot down. A total of six Group aircraft were lost in the target area, while another was forced to ditch in the English Channel.

This particular aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters.

Source of information: Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, www.ancestry.com - 1930 census / U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil

Photo source: Jac Engels, www.remember-our-heroes.nl - Andy Swinnen, www.findagrave.com - Robert Sage