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name
LAPCZYNSKY, John - Date of
birth
24 April 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Carteret, Middlesex County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Carteret, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-680659 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
550th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
24 February 1944 - Place of
death
Baltic Sea, near Rostock, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Matway Lapczynsky (father)
Fecia Lapczynsky (mother)
Amia Lapczynsky (sister)
Sophie Lapczynsky (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31349 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Stars & Stripes 2nd Edition
Destination: Rostock, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Heinkel aviation industry
MACR: 2777
More information
2nd Lt John Lapczynsky graduated from Carteret High School and worked in a factory that made transportation equipment.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Newark, New Jersey on 3 April 1942.
The plane was last sighted in the vicinity northwest of Rostock, Germany over Mecklenburg Bay. It had earlier sustained rocket attacks from two JU 88s which caused the loss of one engine and consequent lagging in the formation. It dropped about 1,000 feet below the formation and was jumped by three enemy aircraft, which set the number 3 engine on fire. The plane was last seen, under control, gliding toward cloud cover with a JU 88 and ME 110 following it. Seven parachutes were sighted. The entire crew of 10 was killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.b17warhorse.fw1.com, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.wwiimemorial.com, 1930 Census, WWII Draft Cards
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot Class Book 43-E, Blackland, Texas / Pilot Class Book 43-E, Coleman Flying School, Texas