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Personal info

Full name
RUPNICK, John Jr
Date of birth
21 May 1923
Age
20
Place of birth
West Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
13132363
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
351st Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
11 May 1944
Place of death
Ougrée-Seraing, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
A 25 12

Immediate family

Members
John Rupnick (father)
Jennie Rupnick (mother)
Andrew Rupnick (brother)
William Rupnick (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-39983
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Katie
Destination: Liège, Belgium
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 4866

More information

S/Sgt John Rupnick Jr. volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 28 October 1942.

Immediately after the bombs were released, the airplane received a direct flak hit in the wing at #1 engine. A part of the wing was blown off the airplane went down in a flaming spin.

Three crew members were taken prisoner, seven were killed. They were initially buried at the airfield of St. Trond, Belgium on 14 May 1944.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, 100th bombgroup, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Card, Pennsylvania Veterans Compensation Application, 1940 US Census

Photo source: Michel Beckers