John B Sterling Jr
MilitaryRear L-R:: William F Manning-Nav, Unknown Ground Crewman, Ground Crew Chief Sgt. John B Sterling, Paul Glass-TTG, David L Miksche-Pilot, Russ Werchowec-R.O., Charles Williams-C.P
Front L to R: Eugene Merritt-Tog, Unknown ground crewman, Unknown ground crewman, Unknown ground crewman, Henry J Hunt-TG, William J Thomson Jr-BTG.
Working 25 straight hours on occasion to ensure aircraft is mission ready. He would not declare an aircraft combat fit unless certain it was in perfect flying condition and passed the pre-flight check without a glitch. Not comfortable with the position of flight chief. Several pilots expressed interest in him as their crew chief. Very excited to obtain new ship that was christened 'Powerful Katrinka' 42-107068 in honor of my mother and later 'Million Dollar Baby' 43-37934. He frequently mentions supercharger repairs. A couple of pilots commended him for maintaining a 'Swell Ship'
Awards: Legion of Merit, Good Conduct, WWII Victory, EAME.
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
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Rome, New York | 13 December 1916 | |
Enlisted |
Utica, NY | 7 January 1942 | Utica, New York |
Other Discharged USAAF |
13 September 1945 | Honourable discharge. | |
Died |
22 November 1981 | ||
Buried |
Westernville Cemetery Westernville, Oneida County, NY | 26 November 1981 | Westernville Cemetery Westernville, Oneida County, NY |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / son