World War II Honoree

John W. Wyllie

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Franklin, Massachusetts

Honored By

Dorian B. Wile

KILLED AUGUST 22, 1945, IN AN EXPLOSION (WHICH IS STILL A MYSTERY) OF A PLANE OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST, AND OF WHICH NO TRACE OF PLANE OR CREW WAS EVER FOUND. WAS KILLED AFTER HE HAD SURVIVED BATTLE ORDEALS. HE WAS 22 YEARS OF AGE AT HIS DEATH. AWARDED DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL, AND THE GOLD STARS IN LIEU OF THE SECOND AND THIRD AIR MEDALS, POSTHUMOUSLY. A CITATION IS GIVEN WITH EACH MEDAL AND EACH GOLD STAR. THE AVIATION RADIOMAN'S LAST CITATION WAS AS FOLLOWS: 'FOR HEROISM AND EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT IN AERIAL FLIGHT AS RADIO GUNNER OF A SCOUT BOMBER IN BOMBING SQUADRON 306 DURING OPERATIONS AGAINST ENEMY JAPANESE FORCES IN THE BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO FROM MAY 18 TO MAY 29, 1944. COMPLETING HIS 20TH MISSION DURING THIS PERIOD, HE CONTRIBUTED TO THE INFLICTION OF DAMAGE ON THE ENEMY.' THE CITATIONS COVER OPERATIONS FROM APRIL 25 TO MAY 29 OF 1944, ALL IN THE SAME AREA.