John Elsen
 John Francis Elsen Obituary John F. Elsen John Francis Elsen of Salamanca died unexpectedly in the early morning hours of April 22, 2010 at Olean General Hospital after losing his battle to survive injuries sustained in a tragic accident the previous afternoon. He was 84.
John was the beloved husband of Alta Flanigan Elsen, with whom he would have celebrated 62 years of marriage on May 8th. Son of the late Frederick J. and Eleanor Curry Elsen, he was born in Salamanca on November 3, 1925. He was the brother of Thomas J. Elsen who predeceased him in 1994.
John attended St. Patricks Parochial School, where at the age of 13, he became the youngest Eagle Scout in the country on February 9, 1939. After being elected Class President for three consecutive years, John graduated from Salamanca High School in 1943.
On July 12th of that same year, he enlisted with the United States Army Air Corps and was called to active duty after his 18th birthday on November 16, 1943. He was assigned to the 15th Army Air Force as a 2nd Engineer Gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II. After picking up a new aircraft from the factory, his crew waited for a tailwind in Gander, Newfoundland, then made the transatlantic flight to the Azores Islands and ultimately arrived at their base in Foggia, Italy on July 21, 1944. There he served with the 301st Bomb Group, 353rd Squadron. Heavy Bombers from the 15th AAF were routinely assigned long range suicide missions over the Ploesti Oil Fields in Romania and deep into enemy territory in Germany. On one such mission, Johns group began with 45 bombers and returned with only 15. The famed Tuskegee Airmen were their fighter escorts on many of the most dangerous missions, keeping the B-17s safe from German fighters. John was credited with 54 combat missions over Germany as a Ball Turret Gunner and later as a Waist Gunner. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on October 22, 1945, having earned the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, and a European Theater of Operations Ribbon with 7 Battle Stars for 7 Major Campaigns.
After returning home to Salamanca, John attended St. Bonaventure University for a short time before being offered the opportunity to work for Fancher Furniture Company Inc. He began a more than 43 year career with Fancher Furniture as a Time Study Engineer on the plant floor, ultimately retiring in 1990 as Executive Vice President. He continued to serve on the Fancher Board of Directors until 1999. Soon after joining Fancher, he spotted the beautiful blond, Alta Flanigan, over his backyard fence and on May 8, 1948 married the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life.
John believed deeply in giving of oneself and he leaves a legacy of community service and involvement. John was a devoted member and servant of St. Patricks Church for his entire life and an active member of The Holy Name Society. He led the ambitious fundraising effort that retired the Churchs debt and he was an energetic advocate for Catholic Charities. Johns tireless work on behalf of the Church and for those in need was recognized by the Diocese of Buffalo with the St. Josephs Lay Worker Award in 1989. John was a founding member of the St. Patricks Mr. and Mrs. Club in 1949, a member of the American Legion for 64 years and he served as Commissioner and Chairman of the Salamanca Board of Public Utilities from 1975 until 1981. He was routinely sought after to serve on various civic boards and committees for his vision, judgment, integrity and sense of fairness. Johns life and good works were honored when the Coca-Cola Company selected him to carry the Olympic Torch on its relay to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. He carried the Olympic Torch on New Years morning, 2002 in Buffalo, NY.
John loved to be outdoors and would often be spotted on his daily walks through town or sledding with his grandchildren. He had a particular passion for tennis and golf, which he played at every opportunity. John joined Elkdale Country Club in 1958, serving as Club President during the mid-1960s. His greatest achievement in this role was the most aggressive expansion project in the clubs history: the acquisition of land for and the building of the back Nine holes to make Elkdale an 18 Hole Golf Course. The project was nicknamed Elsens Folly as the prevailing opinion at the time was that it was an impossibly complicated and expensive undertaking. He enjoyed every moment spent with his friends and family on the golf course and it is a comfort to all that his last afternoon was spent on a sunny day in a place he loved so completely.
John was a warm and compassionate man of Faith, perhaps best known for his love of a good joke. His sense of humor and unfailingly optimistic outlook were contagious while his kindness and generosity to all was inspiring. He leaves behind a following of loyal friends that spans every age group and crosses many state lines. He will be most dearly missed by the loved ones who survive him. In addition to his wife Alta, he is grieved by his children and their spouses: Stephen J. and Virginia Elsen of Ventura, CA; David G. and Geri Anne Elsen of Ellicottville, NY; Daniel F. Elsen of Sausalito, CA; Mary Katherine Sam Elsen and Michael J. Naimoli of Wayne, PA. John was the adored senior citizen action figure of his two beloved grandchildren, Sean and Maya Naimoli. John is also survived by his sister-in-law, Betty Elsen, whose children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren John loved as his own.
As John loved a great party almost as much as a good joke, the family wishes to invite all friends and relatives to join them for a Memorial Service and Celebration of Johns life on Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at Elkdale Country Club beginning at 11:00 AM. Johns love for his fellow man caused him to support many charitable institutions including the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, the Olean General Hospital Foundation and the Salamanca Public Library. He would be honored to have memorial contributions made in his name to these organizations or to the charity of your choice.
http://www.ellicottvillenews.com/index.php/2010/04/john-francis-elsen-obituary/
 John is in back row, 2nd from left
S/Sgt. John F Elsen was assigned to the 301st BG 353rd Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Ball Turrent Gunner.
The following information on John Elsen is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on S/Sgt. Elsen. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to John Elsen's military record please contact us.
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Rank |
General Order |
Date |
Notes |
Award |
Ribbon & Device |
John Elson |
Cpl |
2930 |
08/28/1944 |
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AM |
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John Elsen |
Sgt |
4298 |
11/01/1944 |
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AM/OLC |
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John Elsen |
S/Sgt |
258 |
01/16/1945 |
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AM/2OLC |
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John Elsen |
S/Sgt |
1486 |
03/17/1945 |
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AM/3OLC |
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3/17/1945 15th AAF General Order # 1486 Air Medal/3 OLC
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