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A Tribute in Honor of: |
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My Father - John A. Bartlett Jr. |
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My dad, John "Jack" Bartlett Jr. was an Air Force B-17 pilot in WWII. He was in the 423rd Bomb Squad (H), 306th Bomb Group (H). His plane was shot down in a bombing run over Kassel, Germany on July 28, 1943. 2Lt Stephen W. Peck, a veteran 423rd pilot, was flying "Peck's Bad Boys" on this mission. My dad was the co-pilot. The details of this incident are documented in the book "First Over Germany" by Russell Strong. The others on the plane were Daniel J. Barberis, Navigator; Ben G. Irons, Bombardier; David C. Davis, Engineer; Robert G. Jones, Radio Operator; Daniel DeFlorio, Bell Turret; Henry Winkeller, Tail Gunner; John Gutierrez, Waist Gunner; Walter G. Berthold, Waist Gunner. Everyone got out of the plane and parachuted to the ground safely, although 7 of them required medical treatment. They were rounded up within 2 hours and were transferred to Oberursel (Interrogation Center). My dad spent over 2 years on a German POW camp. In his belongings I found a 50 Reichsmark note with "Moosberg Germany Chapter, April 29, 1945" written on it along with the following signatures, as best as I could make them out: Short Rimster, George J. Beyer, Edgar P. Fergon, Ray H. Rudoyan, Robert H. Harmon, Charles E. Sweeney, Wilton Power and Stewart M. Bachtella. I cannot make out the rest of the names. |
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Dad in his Air Force pilot gear. What a handsome and proud young man! The sky was the limit. |
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German POW Camp. My dad is 2nd from the left. I don't know the other mens' names. |
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After he came home, he attended Northwestern University and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He met my mom, Marianna Freeman, at college and they were married on September 4, 1948 in Toledo, Ohio. They had 3 children, my older brother, John (1950), me - Mary Pat (1952) and my younger brother, Jeff (1955). My dad liked to joke that I was a rose among thorns! He started his own business when we were young, the J A Bartlett Company, an industrial louver manufacturing company. He made a comfortable living for his family. We had a nice house in Toledo. He used to build a skating rink in the back yard in the winter. We even had an 18' cabin cruiser for several years! Unfortunately, reeling that boat in was the cause of his first heart attack in the 1960's. Many heart attacks and other health problems later, he passed away on February 13, 1974 at the young age of 56. You never realize what you have until they are gone. In my case I didn't realize what I had lost until I got older. I am now 49 and regret that I didn't listen to more of his war stories. At least I can pay this tribute to him with what I do know. I would love to hear from anyone listed above, anyone who knew him or anything about him. Or from anyone who just wants to leave their thoughts. |
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LINKS: |
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My Family Tree Maker page |
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Commemorative Air Force - Arizona Wing |
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HeavyBombers.com |
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B-17 info |
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History of the 306th Bombardment Wing |
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