John Joseph Adair
MilitaryAssigned to 575BS, 391BG, 8AF USAAF. Bomb/Nav of “Silver Dollar,” B-26C 42-107671, shot down about 30 miles south of their target, the railroad viaduct at Ahrweiler, Germany. 23-Dec-44. A/C last seen with starboard engine feathered and port engine ablaze. Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 11661.
Sole survivor despite the rest of the crew baling out sucessfully, he ended up hung up in a tree, to be later found by Wehrmacht soldiers, stating that he heard small arms fire after he landed and was convinced his crewmates were shot by SS troops.
Awards: POW, WWII Victory, EAME.
Post war: Remained in USAF rising to rank of Major.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14058257 / O-685331
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bomber pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Matching Green
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
28 March 1919 | ||
|
Enlisted |
15 June 1942 | ||
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
23 December 1944 | Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag Luft 7a. | |
|
Other Shot down |
23 December 1944 | Shot down about 30 miles south of their target, the railroad viaduct at Ahrweiler, Germany. 23-Dec-44. A/C last seen with starboard engine feathered and port engine ablaze. POW. MACR 11661. | |
|
Died |
22 October 1990 | ||
|
Based |
23 December 1944 | Assigned to 575BS, 391BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
|
Buried |
Riverside National Cemetery Riverside Riverside County California, USA |