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name
CONNOR, John J Jr - Date of
birth
27 October 1921 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
National Park, Gloucester County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-754474 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
55th Fighter Squadron,
20th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 May 1944 - Place of
death
Eschede, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 27 | 5 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John J. Connor Sr (father)
Margaret M. (Foster) Connor (mother)
Catherine Connor (sister)
Margaret Connor (sister)
Henry Connor (brother)
Anne R. Connor (sister)
Robert I. Connor (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-67901 -
Data
Type: P-38J
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bomber Escort
MACR: 4543
More information
The plane got hit by German fighters.Statement of Lt Col C. Wilson:
"We were in the vicinity of Eschede, escorting our task force of bombers; time about 0957 hours, altitude 20,000 feet. I was leading white flight, and Lt Connor was leading my second element. He called and said he was having engine trouble. He then joined up with the 3rd box of bombers. I saw him flying just below the B-24s. About four minutes later, he called and said his engine was on fire and that he would have to bail out. That was the last I heard of him."
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, MACR 4543, 20th Fighter Group, www.ancestry.com - Robert Hahn family tree
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Rik Verhelle