World War II Honoree

John Yalch

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Freeland, Pennsylvania

Honored By

A Grateful American

STAFF SERGEANT, GUNNER, B-24 LIBERATOR 'PETE THE CARRIER', 400TH SQUADRON 'BLACK PIRATES', 90TH BOMB GROUP (JOLLY ROGERS), FIFTH AIR FORCE, IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. MEMBER OF ALEXANDER NORTH CREW. HE TOOK OFF FROM 5-MILE DRONE ON A MISSION THAT TARGETED THE BORAM AIRSTRIP NEAR WEWAK. HE WAS ATTACKED BY ENEMY FIGHTERS AND HIS PLANE CRASHED NEAR THE SEPIK RIVER, ON AUGUST 29, 1943. MISSING AIR CREW REPORT 13578. THE PILOT AND CO-PILOT WERE KILLED, BUT THE OTHER CREW MEMBERS WERE SEEN BAILING OUT. THEY WERE NEVER FOUND. HE AND THE OTHERS WERE DECLARED DEAD JANUARY 12, 1946. AWARDED: DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART.