World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
John B. O'Toole
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Brooklyn, New York
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Staff Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Army Air Corps June 20, 1942 at Fort Jay Governors Island, New York. After completing his basic military training, he was designated to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. He served as a Ball Turret Gunner aboard a B-17 ‘Flying-Fortress’ Bomber, assigned to the 322nd Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, and a subordinate unit of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at the Bassingbourn Royal Air Force Station Location: Cambridgeshire, England. Tuesday, August 17, 1943 while participating in a bombing mission to Schweinfurt, Germany, his bomber was shot down by German Fighters. He was able to bail-out, and later captured by the German Armed Forces. His captors transferred him to the Prisoner of War Camp, Stalag 17B near Krems, Austria. When the War ended in Europe Tuesday, May 8, 1945 he was liberated, and returned to military control. This American Patriot received the following Decorations: The Air Medal, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and the Silver Aviator Badge. The Air Medal was awarded to the Sergeant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.