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name
VISTEJN, Joseph John Jr - Date of
birth
8 September 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio -
Hometown
Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15377673 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
614th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 April 1944 - Place of
death
Liers, 5 km southeast of Roubaix, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 8 | 14 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph J. Vistejn Sr. (father)
Beulah A. (Luce) Vistejn (mother)
Arlene M. Vistejn (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31116 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Operational Bombing
MACR: 4344
More information
Joseph Vistejn was a house painter.The aircraft was shot down on the way back by a day fighter. The aircraft weaved around after apparently being hit, feathered the #2 engine, and left the formation. It then joined another formation until it was lost sight of and crashed, burning. Joseph didn't bail out; it was believed that he was injured too badly.
Five crew members died and were initially buried at the Community Cemetery Lille south, English Section, No 82, Row 4, Grave 1-5.
Source of information: www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Tom Verheijden