John B. Blatz was born on December 10, 1917 in Crystal City, Jefferson County, Missouri. He was the son of John and Mary Theresa Blatz. He resided in Missouri prior to the war. John served as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator on B-17G #42-40054, 562nd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

John became a Prisoner Of War of the German Army when his B-17 was struck by B-17G #42-37886, which had been badly damaged by German aircraft, which caused them both to crash on March 6, 1944 near Schoonberkerveld, southeast of Emmen, Holland (Netherlands) during the war. John "Died While A POW" of wounds received in the crash 12 days after becoming a POW. He is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, France. Tsgt Blatz was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov