John William Gross Jr

Military

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36637720
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner/Togglier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pretty Baby
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Go Getter
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fire Ball Red
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Spook Six
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Emigsville, PA 15 February 1922

Other

95th Bomb Group Combat Tour

Horham Airfield, UK 26 October 1944 - 30 March 1945

Died

Cumberland County, PA 2 March 2017 John W. Gross, Jr., 95, entered the kingdom of our Lord at home March 2nd surrounded by family. John was born in a farm house in Emigsville, Pa. to Alice (Golden) and John W. Gross Sr., later relocating to Wernersville Pa, where he attended High School. In 1942 while attending Muhlenberg College, he enlisted to join the fight in Europe. After completing officers training, he became a B-17 pilot and served in the 95th Bombardment Group. He successfully completed 35 missions before returning home to his pre-war sweetheart, Arlene M. Lamm. They wed in 1948. In 1950, after relocating to Harrisburg Pa., John and his father began distributing Maxwell House coffee from their Harrisburg apartment. Sixty-seven years later, John Gross & Co. of Mechanicsburg remains a locally owned, 4th generation family business, providing foodservice products to restaurants and institutions throughout the mid-state. John remained active in the business until the time of his death as a "29-year-old man with 66 years of experience". John's life was the business and his family was the business. Arlene proceeded him in death in 2014. They are survived by their two daughters and a son, Kaye and Dean Sensenig of Sinking Spring, Diane and Jim LaRocca of Mechanicsburg, and Brian and Edie Gross of Orrstown, 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. John was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church of Camp Hill, a member of the Zembo Shrine and West Shore Country Club where he had enjoyed his golf. Visitation is planned for Friday, March 10th from 5:00 - 8:00pm at Christ Community Church, 1201 Slate Hill Road, Camp Hill. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 11th at 11 o'clock at Grace Lutheran Church, 1610 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill. Burial will be private

Buried

11 March 2017 Rolling Green Memorial Park Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA Plot Block N, Plot 145

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes