World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
John R. Follett
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Penobscot County, Maine
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY AIR CORPS NOVEMBER 28, 1942. SERVED AS A LOCKHEED P-38 ‘LIGHTNING’ FIGHTER PILOT ASSIGNED TO THE 27TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 1ST FIGHTER GROUP, 305TH FIGHTER WING, U.S. 15TH AIR FORCE, STATIONED AT VINCENZO AIRFIELD, SALSOLA, ITALY. HE WAS LOST IN ACTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1944 DURING A COMBAT MISSION OVER YUGOSLAVIA. REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1945 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE FLORENCE AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT VIA CASSIA, ITALY. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: SILVER STAR, AIR MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE SILVER STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE LIEUTENANT FOR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY IN ACTION AND VALOR IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY AND THE AIR MEDAL AWARDED FOR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AERIAL FLIGHT. THE PURPLE HEART WAS AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY.