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Personal info

Full name
HEALEY, John J
Date of birth
1918
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Pennsylvania
Hometown
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
20301182
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
722nd Bombardment Squadron,
450th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Died of Wounds
Date of death
19 July 1944
Place of death
City Hospital of Bucharest, Rumania
Bucharest, Rumania

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
A 19 14

Immediate family

Members
William Healey (father)
Mary Healey (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-52085
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Stinkly’s Siren
Destination: Giurgiu, Rumania
Mission: Oil storage tanks
MACR: 6764

More information

S/Sgt John J. Healey joined the National Guard in Scranton, Pennsylvania on 17 February 1941.

He attended high school for 4 years and was a mechanic and repairman of motor vehicles.

Statement from Sgt Melvin J. Coffey:
"On 3 July 1944, our group was on a mission to bomb the target (oil storage tanks) at Giurgiu, Rumania. I was flying as tail gunner in shipn#622 in #7 position in the high right of the 2nd attack unit. Lieutenant Walrath was flying in #5 position in lead element of the first attack unit. In the target area there was intense and accurate flak. Lt Walrath´s ship was hit in #4 engine causing him to feather it. Soon after this I saw six chutes leave the ship at regular intervals. The ship was still under control when I lost sight of it."

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, 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, www.fold3.com

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Hudson Brantham, 450th Bomb Group Memorial Association