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Personal info

Full name
RISI, John Mario
Date of birth
18 January 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Villa Santalucia, Frosinone, Italy
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
13176766
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
614th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
11 April 1944
Place of death
Northwest of Hannover, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 18 11

Immediate family

Members
Loreto Risi (father)
Ludovina (Daguana) Risi (mother)
Lillian Risi (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-39881
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Gloria J
Destination: Politz, Germany
MACR: 4017

More information

S/Sgt John (Giovanni) M. Risi immigrated to the United States on 28 September 1931.

He enlisted on 4 December 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The aircraft was hit by flak. It flew along, burning, for about 30 seconds in formation. It went up steeply, then into a straight dive. The bomb bay seemed to be on fire. Three chutes came out; two of these were delayed jumps. The aircraft then exploded.

Source of information: Joseph Bisscheroux, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Andy Swinnen