John Philip Willett Jr. was born on September 24, 1913, in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. He was the son of John and Veronica Willett. He was married to Geraldine Savelle Willett. He attended Fairview School and Western Hills High School before studying at Miami University in Oxford. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1941, earned his pilot wings in 1942, and served as both a test pilot and transport pilot before entering combat service. He served in the 700th Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-24 #42-95128 nicknamed 'Bonnie Vee' during World War II.
On September 27, 1944, Bonnie Vee took part in the 445th Bombardment Group’s mission from RAF Tibenham, England, targeting the Henschel industrial works at Kassel, Germany. Due to navigational error under heavy cloud cover, the 445th strayed from the main bomber stream and lost its fighter escort, bombing near Göttingen instead of the intended target. Isolated from the larger formation, the group was attacked by a large force of German fighters, including heavily armed Fw 190s. During the intense engagement, Bonnie Vee was shot down near Richelsdorf, Germany.
1Lt Willett was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Saint Johns Cemetery, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.445bg.org
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Willett John Philip, Jr.
Name:
John Philip, Jr. Willett
Rank:
First Lieutenant
Serial Number:
O-432218
Unit:
700th Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1944-09-27
State:
Ohio
Cemetery:
Saint Johns Cemetery, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Air Medal, Purple Heart
Comments: