David John
T/Sgt. David John was assigned to the 301st BG 353rd Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Radio Oper./Gunner.
T/Sgt. David John passed away December 5, 2010
See Dad's Story PDF below
David John
David John passed away in his sleep on December 5, 2010 at age 92. He was born in Johnstown, Pa., June 10, 1918 to David and Mame John. Dave was a regular attendee of Trinity United Methodist Church and for many years played softball on the church team. After graduating high school, Dave worked for Bittner Hardware until the outbreak of WWII. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in April of 1942, where he attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and was trained as a radioman and gunner. In June 1944, he shipped to Italy where he was assigned to the 301st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. Dave flew 47 combat missions (43 actual—the AAF gave them credit for two missions when sent over Germany) in the Boeing B-17 before being shot down on October 13, 1944 over Vienna and made a prisoner of war. After 7 months as a POW, the war ended and he returned home where he married his sweetheart, Anna “Kay” Moisey.
During the next 11 years, Dave and Kay lived in Ohio and Michigan where all three of their children were born.
In 1957, the family moved to Southern California eventually settling in the Los Angeles suburb of Reseda where he lived and worked as a purchasing agent for Sturtevant Auto Parts for 30 years before retiring. For recreation, he enjoyed spending summer weekends body surfing at the beach in Santa Monica with his wife, kids and friends. Watching sports on TV became a lifelong passion whether it was football or baseball. Dave was an ardent LA Dodger baseball fan and he enjoyed attending games at Dodger Stadium as well as watching on TV. Although Dave never played an instrument, he had a keen ear for music. During WWII when armed forces radio played a big band song, Dave could be counted on by his fellow airmen to name the big band and win bets until no one would challenge him any longer. In addition to his big band favorites, he enjoyed listening to American and Latin Jazz musicians Dave Brubeck, Cal Tjader, Eddie Cano, Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery and Ahmad Jamal. For 20 years, he was an avid cyclist and 100 miles was not an unusual ride on a Saturday morning. These trips became fun adventures as his wife Kay would meet him in places as far from home as Santa Barbara, where they would spend a romantic night and motor home the next day. He gravitated to walking later in life and enjoyed many hours of exploring the outdoors, including camping along the California beaches where he could watch the seals. Dave credited walking, cycling and the warm Southern California weather for enhancing his longevity and quality of life. Dogs and cats were attracted to him and a stray kitten was his devoted friend for his last 16 years of life. The cat, “Squeak,” will turn 19 this year and still resides with one of Dave’s sons.
Dave was preceded in death by his wife Kay and is survived by a daughter Barbara Winston, two sons Leslie John and Jeffrey John, and one grandson Jeffrey R. John.
The following information on David John 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 T/Sgt. John. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to David John's military record please contact us.
| Date | Order | Award | Ribbon & Device | Document Originator | Rank | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
GC Army Good Conduct Medal |
|
Current Rank: T/Sgt. |
|
||
07/10/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 1749 |
AM Air Medal |
|
Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force |
Current Rank: SSGT |
|
08/15/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 2549 |
AM/1OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force |
Current Rank: T/Sgt |
|
09/25/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 3630 |
AM/2OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force |
Current Rank: T/Sgt |
|
10/13/1945 |
|
POW |
Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force |
Current Rank: T/Sgt. |
|
* Documents are of the type/classification of "General Order" for most award documents. The listed documents are GO, General Order unless otherwise stated. For example. Special Orders.
The Issuing Authority is the Command and author of the document.
13 Oct. 1944 MIA - A/C 42-6363
David John Separation Papers PDF
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