World War II Honoree

John A. Faust

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Alpena, Michigan

Honored By

Larry A. Rickert

ENLISTED AS A PRIVATE IN APRIL 1943 AND SERVED IN NEW GUINEA WITH THE 66TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON, 433RD AIR GROUP, 5TH AIR FORCE. THE 66TH ARRIVED IN NEW GUINEA IN JULY 1943 AND BEGAN COMBAT SUPPORT OPERATIONS PROVIDING SUPPLIES TO THE TROOPS AND EVACUATING THE WOUNDED. DURING THE WAR, THE SQUADRON WAS HONORED WITH THE U.S. AND PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS. HE FIRST APPEARED ON THE SQUADRON'S MONTHLY REPORT OF COMBAT CREW FLYING TIME IN SEPTEMBER 1944 AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT. AS THE CO-PILOT ON A C-47 TRANSPORT, HE WAS ONE OF FOUR CREW MEMBERS. ON DECEMBER 7, DURING A ROUTINE OPERATIONAL FLIGHT FROM BIAK ISLAND, INDONESIA TO MOROTAI ISLAND, INDONESIA, THE CREW AND THEIR C-47 DISAPPEARED. AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCH EFFORTS, NEITHER THE CREW, NOR THE AIRCRAFT, WERE FOUND. ON JANUARY 15, 1945 HE WAS OFFICIALLY REMOVED FROM THE SQUADRON'S ROLL.