Memorial

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F/O John Hewitt graduated from Blooming Grove High School and was employed by the AAA offices at the courthouse.

The formation was attacked by enemy fighters at 23,000 feet, shortly after leaving the target area at 1110 hours and between the target (5207-1138) and the Rally Point (5210-1105). Seven of the twelve aircraft in this formation were lost.
Of the seven aircraft lost, three have been definitely identified and circumstances so stated in their particular Missing Air Crew Reports. A/C 261 is believed to be one of the four unidentified aircrafts that were seen to go down in flames as a result of fighter attack. Of the four unidentified aircraft lost, five to six chutes were seen. Whether or not they were out of A/C 261 could not be determined.
F/O John R. Hewitt, T/Sgt Harold W. Puetz and 2nd Lt Kenneth D. Evans bailed out and were alright when they hit the ground but were shot by German Luftwaffe soldiers. Statement from T/Sgt Eugene A. Pax, 16155396.

They were initially buried at the cemetery of Zilly, Germany.