Memorial

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2nd Lt John L Cary was graduated in 1936 from the Technical High School, where he was active in athletics, having served as track captain during his senior year, receiving letters in football and track. A life guard at the city beaches for two seasons, he also attended St. Cloud State Teachers college where he was awarded a track letter for his accomplishments in that field. Lt Cary was employed at the Greyhound bus depot until his enlistment.

He was one of the 24 Minnesotans who was a member of the new aviation cadet class at the basic flying school at Enid, Okla. Previous to this, he was stationed in Texas where he completed his primary flight training. On Nov 3, 1943 he was awarded his wings and commission at Frederick field, Frederick, Okla. and was selected for four engine bomber pilot training at the "post-graduate" school of the AAF training command at Liberal, Kas. He left for overseas duty in May 1944 and has been piloting a Liberator bomber from a base in England since that time.

The other group's lead ship (a Pathfinder supplied by the 389th BG) for the 453rd was hit by flak. Out of control that ship began to fly aimlessly across the path of the 492nd. O'Sullivan put his craft into a deep dive to avoid being ran into. Just after the near-miss with O'Sullivan it collided with Cary's ship. Cary's wing was sheared off. The plane stayed level for a moment, then suddenly broke into many pieces which went flying off in many directions at once. The only survivor from Cary's plane was the bombardier.