John Charles Larkin
MilitaryJohn C. Larkin was a P-47 pilot in the 362nd Fighter Bomber Group / 377th Fighter Bomber Squadron based at Headcorn. On a strafing mission to Bueil, France, on 14 June 1944, he was shot down by a German Fw190 piloted by Ofhr Günther Zilling of 9./JG54. Hit above Saint-André-de-L'Eure, France, he landed in the vicinity of Méré, 20km north of Rambouillet, France. Suffering from 3rd degree burns on his legs, 1st and 2nd degree ones to his face as well as a bullet graze on the right shoulder, he was helped by French patriots and Résistance members in escaping capture by the enemy. Hidden in Rambouillet and the surrounding area, he was freed in the region of Etampes by advancing American troops around the middle of August 1944. After his repatriation to the US, he stayed in the Air Force and ended his carrer as a Major. See his page at www.evasioncomete.be ► Fiches.
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 377th Fighter Squadron
Missions
- Date: 14 June 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Illinois, United States | 10 July 1919 | the son of Harry J. and Dalton B. Larkin |
Enlisted |
Chicago, Illinois, United States | 31 March 1941 | |
Other Evaded (EVD) |
Yvelines, France | 12 June 1944 - 15 August 1944 | Helped by French patriots and Résistance members |
Died |
Placentia, California, United States | 4 February 1996 | |
Buried |
Citizens Cemetery, Flagstaff, Arizona |