John M. Folger was born in 1922 in Indiana. He married Elizabeth Clara Bufka in 1944 in Polk City, Florida. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II as a First Lieutenant in the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group. He entered the service in Wisconsin. Pilot of the P-51B, serial number 43-7137, on a mission as bomber escort to Berlin. Last seen hunting a Me 109 in a dive. Later launched a radio message stating that everything is OK and that he was returning to base, but not seen alive.
Statement of Capt Charles W. Lenfest: "I was leading Falcon Blue Flight on August 6, 1944. On withdrawal from Berlin, at 18,000 feet, south of Hamburg. At 1530 my three ships were bounced by six to 10 ME 109's. Just before the bounce I last saw Lt. Folger, my wingman. Combat developed from the bounce and I never saw or heard from Lt. Folger during or after the combat." 1st Lt. Folger was first buried at the cemetery of Sittensen on 10 August 1944.