Memorial

Biography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_L._Jerstad

More information

Maj John L. Jerstad joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army as an aviation cadet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 12 July 1941.

He had completed more than his tour of missions and was no longer directly connected with the 93rd Bomber Group. When he heard of the upcoming low level bombing mission against the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, he volunteered to lead a formation. Three miles from the target, the bomber was badly damaged by enemy ground fire and set on fire. More than 230 anti-aircraft guns, supported by many barrage balloons, smoke pots and German fighter planes were in the area of the refineries. Together with the pilot, Lt Col Addison E. Baker, the ignored the fact that they were flying above a field suitable for a forced landing. They kept on course. After the bombs were released on the target, they kept on trying to give the plane more altitude so the crew members could bail out, but the fire in the ship became so intense that it made further progress impossible. The airplane crashed into the target area, killing erverybody on board. Also Lt Col Addison E. Baker was awarded the Medal of Honor.