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Personal info

Full name
HAY, John Carlyle Jr
Date of birth
1921
Age
unknown
Place of birth
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Hometown
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Military service

Service number
20800116
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
368th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 May 1944
Place of death
Perleberger Brücke
Berlin, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 5 45

Immediate family

Members
John C. Hay Sr. (father)
Thelma O. (Gravell) Hay (mother)
Royce Hay (brother)
Nelda Hay (sister)
Robert Hay (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-32113
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4952

More information

S/Sgt John C. Hay Jr. joined the National Guard in San Antonio, Texas on 25 November 1940.

Thirty seconds after bombs away at 1108, a flak burst hit the airplane, either knocking it off or tearing it to shreds. The airplane went up in a steep stall, and after standing on its tail for a moment, slid off to the left and turned on its back, regained flying altitude momentarily, then went almost straight down in a flat spin. No one could see it below an estimated 18,000 feet, at which time all engines were still running. No fire, explosions or smoke was seen.

Five crew members survivad and were taken prisoner, four men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Döbertitz, Germany.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil / Hallene Family Tree / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Fort Worth Star Telegram - 20 July 1944