John Mario Risi
Military ROLL OF HONOURThis picture was taken when Johnny enlisted and was sent to his family in Philadelphia. Its is the only known picture of him and was kept by his sister, Lillian, is now kept by her family.
John Mario Risi (Jan 18, 1925 - April 11, 1944) enlisted in the US Air Force in 1942 (age 17) by identifying himself as 18 years old because his parents did not agree to sign off on his enlisted. He was positioned as the ball turret gunner with the "Shade Ruff" crew on the B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed the "Gloria J", which was shot down near Hanover Germany in 1944. His closest living relatives reside in the state of New Jersey, USA (three nieces (with in-laws), three great nephews (with in-laws), two great-great nephews, and one great-great niece).
Ball Turret Gunner on 1st Lt Robert O. Stine's "Shade Ruff" crew. Shot down 11 April 1944 in B-17G #42-39881 "Gloria J." Killed in Action (KIA).
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: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Right Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Shade Ruff
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Gloria J
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Shade Ruff #2
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 11 April 1944
Places
- Site type: Cemetery
- Known as: Ardennes American Cemetery, Liege, Belgium
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Italy | 18 January 1924 | |
Enlisted |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 30 June 1942 | |
Died |
11 April 1944 | ||
Buried |
Plot D Row 18 Grave 11 | ||
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Revisions
Copied biographical information added by DanielPilling86 from photo caption into Risi's personal biography
614th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) loading lists and United States Army Regulation 600-8-22 - Military Awards.
Missing Air Crew Report #4017 and 614th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) loading lists.
American Battle Monuments Commission records: https://www.abmc.gov/node/550373
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 4017 / MACR 4017, http://www.401bg.org/Main/History/Members/Details.aspx?ID=1059 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database