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name
HOLMES, John Gordon - Date of
birth
7 January 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Chester, Morris County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Somerville, Somerset County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32570095 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
423rd Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
12 September 1944 - Place of
death
Berlin-Britz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 11 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John P. Holmes (father)
Mary Holmes (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97180 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Ponca City
Destination: Ruhland, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 8832
More information
Sgt John G. Holmes attended Somerville High School and was employed at the Picatinny Arsenal.He enlisted in Newark, New Jersey on 29 October 1942.
The group was attacked by seven FW-190s The airplane salvoed its bombs and it dropped back on fire.
Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner, six men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Britz.
Sgt Holmes was on his seventh mission.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.newspapers.com - Bernardsville News / The Courier-News, WWI Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten