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name
BIGGINS, John Anthony - Date of
birth
23 March 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Belfast, Ireland -
Hometown
Indianapolis, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35168253 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 July 1944 - Place of
death
Near Grossorner, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 30 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Michael J. Biggins (father)
Sarah (Mohan) Biggins (mother)
Margaret M. Biggins (sister)
Kathleen A. Biggins (sister)
Josephine B. Bibbins (sister)
Thomas P. Biggins (brother)
Michael J. Biggins (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-110091 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Bold Venture
Destination: Bernburg, Germany
MACR: 7239
More information
Sgt John A. Biggins immigrated from Ireland in 1924. He graduated from Shortridge High School and attended Butler University.He was a shipping clerk before enlisted at Fort Benjamin Harrison Indiana on 1 October 1941.
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 Sgt Biggins' ship. The 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 the plane was the bombardier.
At the time of his death, his brother Tom was serving as a lieutenant in Germany.
Source of information: 492nd BombGroup, www.ancestry.com - Naturalization Record / 1930 Census, www.newspapers.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - The Indianapolis Star - 22 November 1945