John B Price
Military ROLL OF HONOUR"Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 19 "Killed in Action", by Charles D Taylor
Killed in Action (KIA) near Kleve in B-17 43-39081 which crashed near Kleve on 16 Feb 45. After two passes over primary target (Langendreer, Germany) were unsuccessful (target was covered with smog), crew was ordered to proceed to bomb secondary target the Munster railhead. This plane was in the lead and after dropping bombs (which successfully hit their target), the plane was shot down with 3 crew members killed and six Prisoner of War (POW)s. According to TSgt (Radio Operator Ed Giering), Price was flying his last required mission and had a choice of which crew he wished to fly with. He picked this plane as a 'lucky crew' and was the lead toggeleer. He was killed over the target by parts of the propeller which came from No. 1 engine that was shot off of the plane after releasing the bomb load.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17169885
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6575542
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-927606
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11102375
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39216299
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Killed in action |
Germany | 16 February 1945 | |
Born |
Des Moines, Iowa |
Revisions
NARA files verified Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters. Without his personnel record it is unknown how many campaigns he participated in regarding the EAME Campaign Medal but it was at least one.
Slight changes made to plane designation and last mission description. http://www.303rdbg.com/427wertz.html
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- MACR 12439 ;
- Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 12439 , Edward Giering letter Jan. 2009 / http://303rdbg.com/rost-nopq.html#N