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name
BLAIR, Joseph M - Date of
birth
1923 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Oklahoma -
Hometown
Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-558793 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
574th Bombardment Squadron,
391st Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 December 1944 - Place of
death
Near Kelberg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 3 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John T. Blair (father)
Teresa M. Blair (mother)
Isabelle Blair (sister)
Geraldine Blair (sister)
John Blair (brother)
Helen Blair (sister)
Ann Blair (sister)
Elizabeth Blair (sister)
Virginia Blair (sister)
Margaret Blair (sister)
Betty L. (Yargee) Blair (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-35010 -
Data
Type: B-26C
Nickname: Snake’s Revenge
Destination: Ahrweiler, Germany
Mission: Bridge Ahrweiler
MACR: 11674
More information
2nd Lt Joseph M. Blair joined the Regular Army in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 11 November 1942.He graduated from Central High School in 1941 and attended the University of Tulsa for one year.
Statement from Sgt Weston A. Loegering:
"I was flying as Armorer-Gunner in top turret, low flight, second box, on a mission to bomb Ahrweiler, R/R Viaduct Germany, 23 December 1944. During the second bomb run over the target, enemy fighters attacked my flight from the right. The aircraft in No, 2 position, piloted by Lt Detjens, received most of the fire. He dropped out formation and began to lose altitude. No. 3 position, piloted by Lt Donnelly, left the formation but I did not see where he went. He was apparently hit by flk because fighters did not attack him. No. 4 position, piloted by Captain Brown, left his position and occupied position No. 2. Shortly after covering position No. 2, Captain Brown’s aircraft was attacked by fighters and the tail was shot off. I saw the aircraft about 500 feet below me and apparently out of control. I saw no chutes from any of the mentioned 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 / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Luxembourg American Cemetery / Loren Bender, The Tulsa Tribune - 2 August 1945, Central High School 1941