World War II Honoree

John P. Quinlan

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Yonkers, New York

Honored By

Michael French

SERVED WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE IN THE 324TH BOMB SQUADRON OF THE 91ST BOMB GROUP OUT OF BASSINGBOURN, ENGLAND FROM SEPTEMBER 1942 TO MAY 1943. HE WAS THE TAIL GUNNER OF THE LEGENDARY B-17F MEMPHIS BELLE, 124485, WHICH WAS THE FIRST FLYING FORTRESS TO COMPLETE ITS 25 MISSION TOUR OF DUTY IN THE EARLY AND DANGEROUS DAYS OF THE AMERICAN DAYLIGHT AIR WAR. HE AND HIS FELLOW CREWMEN COMPLETED THEIR TOUR ON MAY 17, 1943. HE WAS THE ONLY CREWMAN OF THE MEMPHIS BELLE TO BE WOUNDED AND WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. HE WENT ON TO FLY AS A TAIL GUNNER ON B-29 AIRCRAFT IN THE PACIFIC BEFORE BEING SHOT DOWN. HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE JAPANESE, BUT ESCAPED WITH THE AID OF CHINESE REBELS AND FOUGHT HIS WAY BACK TO THE ALLIED FORCES BEFORE GOING HOME.