World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Mac S. Groesbeck
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
American Fork, Utah
Honored By
Alexander Jacobs, Jr.
SERVED AS GUNNER ON A B-17E 'FLYING FORTRESS' WITH THE 5TH AIR FORCE, 19TH BOMB GROUP, 30TH BOMB SQUADRON IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ON NOVEMBER 1, 1942, HIS B-17 WAS ONE OF 6 BOMBERS THAT TOOK OFF FROM 7-MILE DROME NEAR PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA TO BOMB JAPANESE SHIPPING IN TONOLEI HARBOR NEAR BOUGANVILLE. THE FORMATION OF BOMBERS EXPERIENCED BAD WEATHER INBOUND TO THE TARGET AND HIS B-17 CRASHED INTO A RIDGE LINE NEAR MILNE BAY. DECORATIONS: DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.