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name
BRZOZOWSKI, John S - Date of
birth
unknown -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
unknown -
Hometown
Manhattan, New York County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32789437 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 July 1944 - Place of
death
Neuwegerleben, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 26 | 9 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frances J. Brzozowski (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40086 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Laura Jo
Destination: Bernburg, Germany
MACR: 7831
More information
On 7 July 1944, the 492nd participated in a bombing run on a German aircraft manufacturing plant in Bernburg. S/Sgt Brzozowski's nine-man ship was the first to be hit by the defending Luftwaffe. His ship spun and then suddenly exploded killing everyone inside. The pieces of the plane were scattered over a large area. Only the tail section was found somewhat intact. All of the bodies were recovered but three of them couldn't be individually identified.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, 492nd Bomb Group
Photo source: Michel Beckers, 492nd Bomb Group, Peter Schouteten