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name
TURPEN, John Claude - Date of
birth
25 April 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Cornelia, Habersham County, Georgia -
Hometown
Fulton County, Georgia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34682442 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
563rd Bombardment Squadron,
388th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 July 1944 - Place of
death
Bottendorf near Rossleben, 10 miles southeast of Querfurt, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 4 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John C. Turpen (father)
Effie (Flanagan) Turpen (mother)
Mary Turpen (sister)
Ruth Turpen (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39866 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Heaven Can Wait
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
MACR: 7820
More information
T/Sgt John C. Turpen was employed as a statistical clerk at New York Life Insurance.He enlisted on 6 January 1943 at Fort McPherson, Georgia and was sent overseas in March 1944.
The airplane was attacked by 3 Me 109's from the rear, setting fire to the two inboard engines. When the fire broke out, he peeled off and went into a dive and disappeared into the clouds at 14,000 feet. The co-pilot and navigator were able to bail-out and landed into a Barley Field, and were captured immediately. The Germans at a near-by air base said that seven bodies were in the burned aircraft. After this five minute attack, the Groups followed the same route home as on the way to the Target.
T/Sgt Turpen is remembered at Level Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Cornelia, Habersham County, Georgia.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.newspapers.com - The Atlanta Constitution - 18 October 1944, www.findagrave.com