John Herman Boettcher

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
Air Medal Awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the U.S. Army, will have distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Awarded for military service for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is very likely but unconfirmed that SGT Boettcher was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes American Air Museum in Britain Listing Aircraft, Martin B-26 Marauder, 43-34337
Yes ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
No  National Archives Database
Yes Missing Air Crew Report: MACR 12609, 43-34337. 24 Feb 1945
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
John Herman Boettcher
Service # 39214440
Unit 572nd Bomber Squadron, 391st Bomber Group, Medium
Rank Sergeant U.S. Army Air Forces
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: February 24, 1945
Buried Plot: F, Row: 5, Grave: 49
 Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery,  Hombourg, Belgium
Awards:
 Air Medal
 Purple Heart


WWII Draft Card Data
John Herman Boettcher
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 19
Birth Date: October 24, 1922  -  Birth Place: Winona County, Minnesota
Residence Place: Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington
Registration Date: June 30, 1942  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: PSNY Heinz Electric Worker
Weight: 160, Height: 5' 10"
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Brown   -  Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: John Boettcher
Members of Household: John Herman Boettcher, Self
John Boettcher, Father

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Name: John H. Boettcher
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: 22
Birth Date: abt 1923
Admission Date: February 1945
Admission Place: European Area
Discharge Date: February 1945
Discharge Place: Not in Medical Installation Prior to Death
Military Branch: Air Force, General or Unspecified
Diagnosis: Killed in action
  First Location: Unknown, code not applicable;
  Causative Agent: None or Unknown
Type of Injury: Injury Type 1 Casualty, battle
Injury Type 2 All battle casualties, and all battle injuries not intentionally inflicted by self or another person
Service Number: 39214440
Notes: Cases reported by AGO only, except death in German or Japanese prison (Officially Declared Dead or Unmatched Reports of Death)

Note 1: The death location, "In or over Germany" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of SGT Boettcher, this location was estimated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 572nd Bomber Squadron, 391st Bomber Group, Medium.

B. At the time SGT Boettcher was Killed In Action his aircraft was conducting a bombing mission over Germany and the American Air Museum in Britain website listing for his B-26 Marauder, 43-34337 states: "Failed to Return (FTR), [from] Germany."

C. MACR 12609, 43-34337. 24 Feb 1945 the 391st BOMBARDMENT GROUP website partial data as follows: B-26 Marauder, 43-34337 "NOTES: Tail Gunner - Box 1, low flight, no.1. 43-34337 received direct hit in left wing. Wing blown off. Aircraft went into spin."

D. Hospital Admission Records indicate that SGT Boettcher died during February 1945, as a result of unknown combat wounds.

E. Further information on the 572nd Bomber Squadron and the 391st Bomber Group, can be found at the Army Air Corps website 391st Bomber Group.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - NO RECORDS FOUND

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