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Personal info

Full name
DISHER, John William
Date of birth
27 July 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Missouri
Hometown
Fredericktown, Madison County, Missouri

Military service

Service number
17034210
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner/Radar Controler
Unit
351st Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
18 March 1945
Place of death
Near Stendal, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
C 18 1

Immediate family

Members
Elmer Disher (father)
Esther B. (Kretzer) isher (mother)
Virginia E. Disher (sister)
Robert J. Disher (brother)
Dorathy Disher (sister)
Richard E. Disher (brother)
Walter A. Disher (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38861
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Sweet Nancy II
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of railway stations
MACR: 13144

More information

John Disher was a chauffeur.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 12 December 1941.

The airplane was attacked by a ME 262 jet. Two engines were set on fire and it dived away from the formation. The airplane then nosed up with the tail falling off and fell down spinning. One parachute was seen. Six crew members were taken prisoner, four were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, NARA, 100thbg.com, Footnote.com, Missing Air Crew Report, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com

Photo source: Bob Disher, www.honorstates.org