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name
GILLIS, John James - Date of
birth
25 November 1912 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11053557 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
544th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 July 1943 - Place of
death
East of Hamburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 20 | 4 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Pius J. Gillis (father)
Isabell (Sharkey) Gillis (mother)
Mary Gillis (sister)
Margaret Gillis (sister)
Stephen Gillis (brother)
Henry Gillis (brother)
William J. Gillis (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3088 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Sugar Puss
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the shipyards
More information
John Gillis worked in a textile factory before he volunteered for the Amry of the United States in Boston, Massachusetts.The aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters over the target. Since no MACRs were drawn up at that time, a detailed report is missing.
Five crew members were taken prisoner, five men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWII Draft Card, 1920 US Census, www.384thbombgroup.com
Photo source: Jac Engels