World War II Honoree

John C. Catherine, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Morrisdale, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Carol Catherine Heiple

Relationship

Daughter

B-17 RADIO OPERATOR AND GUNNER. FLEW ANTI-SUBMARINE PATROL OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO AND 35 MISSIONS FROM ITALY. FLEW B-17 AIRCRAFT IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER; 39 SORTIES WITH THE 483RD HEAVY BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 817TH SQUADRON. SHOT DOWN AND CAPTURED AT KEMPTON, GERMANY ON JULY 18, 1944. WOUNDED AND TAKEN PRISONER OF WAR. HELD AT STALAG LUFT IV, GROSSTYCHOW, UNTIL FEBRUARY 6, 1945. WALKED ACROSS GERMANY FOR 86 DAYS. LIBERATED ON MAY 2, 1945.