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name
BOTTS, John Frederick - Date of
birth
30 October 1922 -
Age
21 -
Place of birth
Clinton County, Ohio -
Hometown
Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35634597 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
756th Bombardment Squadron,
459th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 July 1944 - Place of
death
15 miles southeast of Budapest, Hungary
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 43 | 35 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John H. Botts (father)
Sarah F. (Murphy) Botts (mother)
Betty E. Botts (sister)
Mary E. (Gibson) Botts (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-52342 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Fighting Mudcat
Destination: Budapest, Hungary
Mission: Bombing of the oil refineries
MACR: 6412
More information
S/Sgt John F. Botts graduated from Wilmington High School for 4 years before he enlisted in Fort Hayes Columbus, Ohio on 25 March 1943.S/Sgt John H. Stack:
#342 was flying in No.7 Spot in A flight, as about 7 o’clock from our ship. Flak hit the left wing at the aileron knocking it off and the wing caught fire near No.1 engine. One chute then fell out ship, then skidded underneath us and a little later ship was noticed back in its original position in comparison to our ship and eight more chutes were seen to appear. Plane then went into a fast spin.
Capt Walter R. Chance:
Botts the Tail Gunner bailed out and was shot when he got on the ground, We were interrogated in the village where we landed and they showed me his dog tag and said they had shot one of the men.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / West Family Tree / Social Security Applications and Claims Index, www.fold3.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Jul.44.html , Dayton Daily News 18 July 1944
Photo source: Astrid van Erp, www.newspapers.com - The Dayton Harold 19 July 1944