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name
BLAKE, John Henry - Date of
birth
14 February 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
New York -
Hometown
Cranford, Union County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12098093 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Assistant Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
760th Bombardment Squadron,
460th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 June 1944 - Place of
death
Near Lake Balaton, Hungary
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 22 | 32 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Jacob H. Blake (father)
Glenna M. (Schading) Blake (mother)
Beatrice A. Blake (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-28988 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Blechhammer, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refineries
MACR: 6395
More information
S/Sgt John H. Blake was a machinist before he volunteered for the US Army in Rochester, New York on 17 June 1942.1st Lt Kennon B. Sorgenfrei:
On June 30, 1944, we were in formation to our target of Blechhammer, Germany. Capt John H. White Jr. was leading the high box, 2nd attack unit and I was flying #4 position in the same box. Near Lake Balaton, a weather front was encountered and we started to climb through the thin overcast, which became thicker as time progressed. The lead or rest of the formation could be seen at times. Finally we came out into an open space between two high banks of clouds. Five ships in our box were all the planes visible. About 50 ME 210's were seen and they peeled off in waves of eight and came in firing. The box wasn't very tight and #5 man was hit immediately and peeled down to the right. I dove into the clouds and the last I saw of Capt White, he was flying straight ahead with both wing men and enemy fighters around.
S/Sgt Anselm J. Cattoor:
He was killed by a bullet from the enemy aircraft a minute or so prior to the loss of our own aircraft.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Lendt and Caswell Family Tree, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com - Russ Pickett
Photo source: -