John Mario Risi

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-42088.jpeg UPL 42088 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).

This 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.

Object Number - UPL 42088 - 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...

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

A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • 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

Places

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

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Copied biographical information added by DanielPilling86 from photo caption into Risi's personal biography

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Draft Card & 1940 Census at Ancestry

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources
Date
ContributorShade Ruff
Changes
Sources

614th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) loading lists and United States Army Regulation 600-8-22 - Military Awards.

Date
ContributorShade Ruff
Changes
Sources

Updated information.

Date
ContributorShade Ruff
Changes
Sources

Updated information.

Date
ContributorShade Ruff
Changes
Sources

Corrected typographical error.

Date
ContributorShade Ruff
Changes
Sources

Missing Air Crew Report #4017 and 614th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) loading lists.

Date
ContributorShade Ruff
Changes
Sources

American Battle Monuments Commission records: https://www.abmc.gov/node/550373

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

John Mario Risi: Gallery (1 items)