World War II Honoree

John Randolph Field

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

San Bernardino, California

Honored By

Lt. Col. Gregory H. Wessel USAF(R)

Relationship

Family Member

FLIGHT OFFICER-PILOT. DIED AT AGE 20, SERVING HIS NATION NOVEMBER 7, 1944 IN CRASH OF P-38 LIGHTENING AIRCRAFT FROM 4TH AIR FORCE, 441ST ARMY AIR FORCES UNIT AT VAN NUYS WHILE PILOTING NUMBER THREE SHIP IN A FOUR SHIP FORMATION DIVE-BOMB TRAINING FLIGHT NEAR LITTLE TUJUNGA CANYON, ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST, LOS ANGELES, COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. REPORTEDLY, HE ENCOUNTERED AN ENGINE FIRE AND MATERIAL FAILURE WHILE FLYING IN MARGINAL WEATHER. HE WAS PILOT RATED MAY 23, 1944 AND HELD AN INSTRUMENT RATING. HE ALSO FLEW THE P-63 AT PORTLAND, OREGON. HIS TOTAL FLYING TIME WAS 367 HOURS; 110 WERE IN THE P-38.