World War II Honoree

John Edward Wasche

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bluffton, Minnesota

Honored By

A Grateful American

HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1942 AND WAS SENT TO ENGLAND IN MAY 1943 WHERE HE SERVED AS A BALL TURRET GUNNER ON A B-17 AIRCRAFT. ON AUGUST 17, 1943 WHILE ON A MISSION TO A BALL BEARING PLANT LOCATED AT SCHWEINFURT, GERMANY, ON HIS 13TH MISSION, HIS PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN NEAR THE CITY OF BONN, GERMANY. HE PARACHUTED OUT OF THE PLANE, BUT LANDED WITHIN A GROUP OF GERMAN SOLDIERS. HE WAS IMPRISONED AND LATER SENT TO KREMS, AUSTRIA UNTIL LIBERATION MAY 1945 BY THE AMERICAN ARMY.