World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
John F. Bertaux
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
JOINED THE ARMY AIR CORPS. ASSIGNED TO THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 55TH BOMB WING, 464TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), 776TH BOMB SQUADRON, AT PANATELLA ARMY AIR BASE, ITALY. ON 11 DECEMBER 1944, HE WAS THE PILOT ONBOARD A B-24H LIBERATOR NICKNAMED THE 'FAST NUMBER' (RECALL LETTER: BLACK E; TAIL # 42-95337). WHILE ON A BOMBING MISSION THAT DAY OVER THE SOUTH ORDNANCE DEPOT AT VIENNA, AUSTRIA, THE AIRCRAFT WAS HIT BY FLAK FROM AN 88MM GERMAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN, THAT BROKE OFF PART OF THE RIGHT WING, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE AIRCRAFT.