Assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group (the Flying 8 Balls), in the 8th Air Force, USAAF. Shot down over Foggia, Italy 16-Aug-43 in the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck.

Staff Sargent John Raymond Barcus was a waist gunner on the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck, assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. He flew on the Ploesti mission as part of Lt. Felber's crew, on temporary deployment, TDY, to the 9th Air Force. SSgt. Barcus returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross medal for his participation in the mission.

Awards: DFC, AM, PH, WWII Victory, EAME.

Service

Events

Event	Location	Date
Born	Saint Charles, IL, USA	15 March 1921
Son of Raymond Merle and Marjorie (McMasters) Barcus.
Lived in	West Chicago, IL, USA	1942
West Chicago, Illinois.
Enlisted	Chicago, IL	20 August 1942
Chicago, Illinois
Based	Shipdham	1943 – 1944
Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF.
Tidal Wave survivor	Ploiești, Romania	1 August 1943
Flew on the Ploesti mission on the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck, while TDY to the 9th AF. Returned safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43.
Hospitalised		September 1944
Hospitalised, gasoline burns.
Died	Hines Va Hospital: Leehey David MD, 2100 S 5th Ave # 111L, Hines, IL 60141, USA	18 February 2006
Buried	North Cemetery, Saint Charles, Kane County, IL	21 February 2006
North Cemetery, Saint Charles, Kane County, Illinois, USA