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name
REED, Jack Summers - Date of
birth
8 August 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas -
Hometown
Washington County, Arkansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38449949 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
20 June 1944 - Place of
death
Baltic Sea
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 11 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joe S. Reed (father)
Winnie M. (Delozier) Reed (mother)
JoBelle Reed (sister)
Bonnie G. Reed (sister)
James F. Reed (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40163 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Politz, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 7080
More information
Sgt Jack S. Reed was a graduate of University High School. He was attending Arkansas Tech University when he enlisted in February 1943.Crew 601 was lost on 20 June 1944 during a bombing raid on the heavily defended oil refineries in Politz. While enroute near Rugen Island, the 492nd's low left squadron was attacked by rocket firing Me-410s and JU-88s. They were among the nine planes hit. Their plane spun out of control. The quick thinking Co-pilot Walton was able to level the plane by increasing power on one side while reducing power on the other, thus allowing everyone time to bail out into the water. S/Sgt Reed was killed but it's not clear if he drowned. His body was found by the locals.
Sgt Jack S. Reed is remembered at Elm Springs Cemetery in Elm Springs, Washington County, Arkansas with a memorial marker.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, 492nd Bomb Group, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com