Shary John

Name:

John Shary

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

6884711

Unit:

642nd Bomber Squadron, 409th Bomber Group (Light)

Date of Death:

1944-06-06

State:

Pennsylvania

Cemetery:

Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France

Plot:

C

Row:

21

Grave:

33

Decoration:

Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart medal

Comments:

John Shary was born on January 17, 1915, in Gilberton, Pennsylvania. He served in the 642nd Bomber Squadron, 409th Bomber Group, Light, as a Staff Sergeant and Gunner during World War II.

On June 6, 1944, his crew took off from Station 165 airfield in Little Walden, England, for a mission in Valognes, France. At around 01:50 PM, their plane was shot down by flak and crashed in flames in Tamerville. Two crew members were killed (including SSgt Shary), while the other two survived but were captured and taken as prisoners. SSgt Shary is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France. He also has a cenotaph in the Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov francecrashes39-45.net