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name
SZEKELY, John - Date of
birth
1925 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Ohio -
Hometown
Lorain County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15128170 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
725th Bombardment Squadron,
451st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 February 1945 - Place of
death
Florisdorf, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 10 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph Szekely (father)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-52440 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Calamity Jane
Destination: Vienna, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the refineries
MACR: 12091
More information
Cpl John Szekely joined the Regular Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 29 January 1944.2nd Lt. Albert D. Sherman Jr:
While over the target Lt Holst received a direct flak hit in the bomb bay of his ship, causing it to burst in flames. He rallied right and in doing so crashed into Lt Burk’s aircraft. It appeared as if Lt Burk tried to avoid a collision, but to no avail. When the ships collided a few bombs were dropped from Lt Burk’s ship. After the collision the two ships remained together until Lt Burk’s ship barrel rolled earthward out of my view and Lt Holst’s ship disintegrated.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Feb.45.html
Photo source: -