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Personal info

Full name
BLAIR, Joseph M
Date of birth
1923
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Oklahoma
Hometown
Tulsa County, Oklahoma

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