SMGP-2545 Shot down B-17 Bomber Pilot WW2 named Distinguished Flying cross and Air Medal *updated with POW Letters!!!

$800.00

1 in stock

Description

A rare opportunity to own Awards, documents and POW related material from a WW2 B-17 bomber pilot!

Pilot John L. Turner

Plane “Lucky Lady”

A fantastic named DFC and unnamed air medal with two oakleaf clusters on the bar! The DFC shows some polishing compound in the recesses. A real nice and rarely found pilot DFC.

The bulk of information on him and being shot down is located here:

Lots of military interview paperwork at that link.

He is referenced in a class photo in this article about another pilot from his training class who was KIA in Germany. America’s Finest – AAF Collection

– 764th Bomb Squadron

-461st Bomb Group

-Shot down after bombing run of Railway yard 10min north of Munich

-Plane broke apart after diving into a spin

-All escaped the plane

-One waste gunner (Foster) believed to have not opened his shoot and died (Gemans said he was “Kaput”)

-All survivors captured by Germans and sent to Dulag-Luft (Stalag 7, Stalag 1)

-Most (all?) were returned home after liberation by Russians

Significant documents included with medals:

-Western Union Telegram dated june 18th 1945 stating ” Healthy fully Restored Hope to See You Soon Letters Not Received”

-Post card from Dulag Luft dated Oct 10th 1944 with pre printed “I have been taken prisoner of war in Germany. I am in Good health”

-Post card From Mrs Jones speaking of news she heard about the crew being liberated from Stalag 1. (Jones was Turners Co pilot)

-Fascinating document to Mrs Turner dated Nov 22 1944 that says Berlin station announcer “Sylvia Deau? (illegible)” read and electrical transcript from John Turner. There is a hole in it but still a fascinating historical document.

-Military Record and report of separation that Tells us officially what Squadron and Bomb Group last assigned, His Medals earned that also include a silver and bronze star (not part of this grouping) as well as the battle and campaigns he fought in.

John L Turner

WAR DEPARTMENT
HEADQUARTERS ARMY AIR FORCES
WASHINGTON
The MISSING AIR CREW REPORT 8975
IMPORTANT: This report will be compiled in triplicate by each Army Air Forces
organization within 48 hours of the time an aircraft is officially reported missing.
1. ORGANIZATION: Location _Torretta, Italy_________________Command or Air Force _15th AF
Group _461st Bomb Gp (H)_______________Squadron _764th Bomb Sq (H)
2. SPECIFY: Place of departure _Torretta, Italy__________________Course _straight to target
Target _Munich, Germany_________________Type of mission _Combat__
3. WEATHER CONDITIONS AND VISIBILITY AT TIME OF CRASH OR WHEN LAST REPORTED:
_CAVU__________________________
4. GIVE: [a] Date _4 Oct 44__ Time _1154__ Last known position _ 48º09’N, 11º30’E __
[b] Specify whether: [X] Last sighted, [ ] Forced down, [] Seen to crash,
[ ] Last contacted by radio, [ ] No information
5. AIRCRAFT [LOST] [BELIEVED LOST] AS A RESULT OF: [Check one only] [ ] Enemy aircraft, [] Enemy anti-aircraft, [X] Other Unknown.
6. AIRCRAFT: Type, model & series _ B-24J _____AAF Serial Number _ 42-50970___
7. NICKNAME OF AIRCRAFT: _Lucky Lady _________________________
8. ENGINES: Type, model & series _ R 1830-43A____ AAF serial Number [a] _P 138724_______
[b] _P 138778_______ [c] _P 138832______ [d] _P 138725____
9. INSTALLED WEAPONS: [Make, type and serial number] All Browning Cal. 50
[a] 1037549 [e] 1035633 [i] 1037309
[b] 1037466 [f] 1036967 [j] 1037310
[c] 1037951 [g] 1534872
[d] 1037964 [h] 1534852
10. PERSONNEL LISTED BELOW REPORTED AS: [X] Battle Casualty, [ ] Non Battle Casualty
11. NUMBER OF PERSONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT: Crew _11__; Passengers _ 0_; Total _11_
[If more than 12 persons aboard aircraft, use separate sheet] CREW
POSITION
FULL NAME [Last, First, Initial] RANK, SERIAL NUMBER
CURRENT
STATUS
NEXT OF KIN, RELATIONSHIP
AND ADDRESS
[1] Pilot Turner, Jr., John L., 1st Lt.
0-696612
MIA Mrs. Jeraldine Turner (Wife)
188 N 17th St., East Orange, N.J.