World War II Honoree

John Flanagan

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant. Following his Basic Military Training; he was selected to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. He served as a Left Waist Gunner aboard the B-17H ‘Flying Fortress’ Bomber, assigned to the 703rd Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group and an element of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at Tibenham Royal Air Force Station England. On Wednesday, August 16, 1944 the ‘Flying Fortress’ with ten crewmembers, departed England on a bombing mission to Dessau, Germany. While over the target, his bomber and crew suffered a Mid-Air-Collision with another ‘Flying Fortress’, that had been hit by German anti-aircraft ground flak fire. The two Bombers crashed in the vicinity of Mosigkau, Germany. Personnel from a Grave Registration Company buried him in the Margraten Battlefield Cemetery; Aachen, Holland. In the post-war era, this Airman’s family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at the Netherlands American Cemetery Location: Margraten, Netherlands. In his Memory and Honor, a cenotaph memorial as been placed at the Calvary Cemetery, located at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He served his Country with Pride and Honor. In his Memory, this American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Air Medal, Purple Heart, and his Silver Aviator Badge. The Air Medal was awarded to the Sergeant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, and the Purple Heart for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.