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Wall of Honor Level: Air and Space Friend
Honored by:
Mr. Jonathan Hixson
Staff Sergeant John J. Vanek served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was part of the 385th Bomb Group, 549th Squadron stationed out of Great Ashfield, England. During his career he was a Ball Turret Gunner and flew in a B-17F named “The Mission Belle” (42-30197) for the majority of his 25 missions. The most famous of these was on October 14th, 1943, “Black Thursday”, the target was a ball bearing factory in Schweinfurt, Germany, one of the most heavily defended targets in Hitler’s Reich. During his 25 missions, he managed to shoot down 5 German planes. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and five Oak Leaf Clusters.
Wall of Honor profiles are provided by the honoree or the donor who added their name to the Wall of Honor. The Museum cannot validate all facts contained in the profiles.
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