John Robert Titone

John Robert Titone, 1923-2021

John Titone served in the Eighth Air Force, United States Army Air Forces, as co-pilot on a B-17 bomber. His 379th Bombardment Squadron was based out of England's Kimbolton airfield and flew 35 missions from Jan.29 to April 19, 1945. Among their targets were Berlin, Dresden and Nuremburg. John, who served as official photographer for his combat wing, recorded the impact of the bombing raids.

John's interest in photography began when he was a teenager in his hometown of Illinois. His high school training as a printer soon led to a job with the U.S. Printing Office in Washington DC, while he waited to enlist. After the war, he opened a camera shop, then moved on to a long career in newspaper production at the Illinois State Journal and Register.

John wed his sweetheart Lea Schuh in November, 1944, shortly before heading overseas. They were married for 77 years and had nine children. Several years before his death at age 98, he returned to Washington on an Honor Flight to visit the World War II Memorial.