Memorial

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2nd Lt John W. Padget was married to Dorothy Gene Knode on 22 June 1941,. He was a checker at the Rath Packing Co. before he enlisted in December 1942.

Statement from 1st Lt Wesly P. Peterson, pilot of Bouncin’ Annie:

"On 2 November 1944, Just after dropping our bombs on the target at Merseburg, Germany, the tail of our B-17 was blown off by enemy flak. The plane became immediately uncontrollable and went into a violent spin.

I was unable to communicate with any of the crew after the ship was hit. Lt. Padget was unharmed up until that time.

I have the impression that I saw two men in the nose thrown through the nose of the ship during the most violent part of the spin. This was only an impression, but it is the only plausible explanation I can find. I'm sure he was not in the nose when I went out the escape hatch, and this hatch, his only way out, had not been opened, at least by appearances.

I have been unable to find out from any source any more information concerning Lt. Padget. The German interrogator at Dulag Luft could tell me nothing and the other two crew members who got out alive and are back knew nothing of him either.

I am sorry that I cannot tell you what happened to him definitely. I know of no one who could help answer these questions."

He is remembered at the Garden of Memories in Wayerloo, Iowa.