World War II Honoree

John O. Dunbar, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Columbus, Kansas

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ASSIGNED TO THE SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS, 13TH AIR FORCE, 307TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 372ND BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT MOKERANG AIRFIELD, ON LOS NEGROS IN THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS TO THE NORTH OF NEW GUINEA. ON 15 JULY 1944, HE FLEW AS AN AERIAL GUNNER ABOARD B-24J LIBERATOR (TAIL # 42-73119) ON A MISSION TO BOMB JAPANESE AIR AND NAVAL FORCES ON YAP IN THE CAROLINE ISLANDS. WHILE UNDER JAPANESE 'ZEKE' FIGHTER PLANE ATTACK OVER THE YAP ISLAND TARGET AREA, HIS AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A MID-AIR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER B-24J LIBERATOR (TAIL # 44-40555) RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT AND AIRCREWS.