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Captain <em>John Mahlon Hommel</em>, son of Dr. and Mrs. P. R. V. Hommel, was born in Elkader, Iowa, on February 27th, 1920. John graduated from Elkader High School in 1937, and from the Elkader Junior College in 1939. He excelled In his studies, and while a student in both Elkader institutions was active in Boy Scouting, received the American Legion Award for outstanding Citizenship, participated In basketball, baseball, football, dramatics, glee club, band and orchestra. He attended the State University of Iowa from 1939-1940, at which time he received his appointment to West Point from Hon. H. O. Talle. When at Iowa City he joined the Delta Upsllon Fraternity. While at the United States Military Academy he was a member of the Choir. John graduated in June, 1943, and received his wings at Stewart Field at that time.</p>
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July 1st, 1943, he reported for further training at Hendricks Field, Sebring, Florida. While stationed there he married Jean Feuling of Cresco, Iowa, on July 30, 1943. From Sebring he was sent to Ephrata, Wash.; Rapid City, S. Dakota; again to Ephrata; and then to MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida.</p>
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The first week in March 1944, John was sent overseas, as a squadron leader flying a B-17, to Italy. He was attached to the 15th Air Force, 483rd Bomber Group, where they were among the first in the shuttle bombing to Russia. He was killed over Memmingen, Germany July 18, 1944. He had completed 33 missions, and was awarded the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.</p>
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John Twinning Hommel, his posthumous son, was born July 27, 1944, at Elkader, Iowa. John leaves to mourn his loss his wife Jean, son John, his parents Dr. and Mrs. P. R. V. Hommel, and a brother Sgt. William Hommel, who served overseas in the Medical Corps.</p>
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The following is the report of his co-pilot of John’s last mission:</p>
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“First of all, as to whether or not we had received recall orders, I do not know. Our radio operated by Leukering never mentioned this fact to us. I’m quite sure he would have if he had received them.</p>
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“The end squadron (840) lost one ship out of its formation while we were crossing the Alps, about opposite the town of lnsbrook. This ship dropped out of formation, as far as I could tell, due strictly to engine failure. We were not under fire of any type at that time.</p>
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“Our trouble began just as we were approaching the I.P. Naturally since we were leading the last squadron, we had begun to drop back in order to allow the other squadrons to fall into their proper trail formation. Just as we began to drop back, the high squadron began to drop down and the low squadron to slide ahead of us. It was at this time that we were attacked from two o’clock and low. The first wave of fighters set our right wing on fire as well as hitting us in many other places. I later found out that it was in this pass that Lt. Trevor was wounded. My interphone system was put out of commission then also due to this. I never knew what, went on in the back of the ship after that.</p>
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“After the first pass we were the only ship left in the squadron. It was then that we slipped the ship down to the right trying to put the fire in the right wing out, but to no avail. After leveling the ship, we found that the left wing was also on fire and the fighters were continuing their attacks. It was then John gave the order to bail out.</p>
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“Pat Rooney left the ship first, then Fitzgibbons, Peterson, Herbie and myself, all leaving from the front hatch. We were never able to drop our bomb. Just before leaving the ship I reached up and gave John a pull on the leg as he was still in the seat. He gave me the go ahead sign, but never made an attempt to leave the seat. The cockpit of the ship was pretty well shot up, but neither John nor myself were hit. In my opinion John knew that there was a wounded man, Trevor, on board and for that reason he would not leave the ship.</p>
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“After leaving the ship I watched it for a short distance then I lost sight of it as my chute opened. When I looked for it again it was a big cloud of smoke where it had been. It could not have gone more than 1,000 yards after I left.</p>
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“After my capture by the Germans I was taken to the town of Kempton. There I met a great number of boys who had already been taken. It was there I saw Weatherspoon, he does not know what happened only that he woke up floating down in his chute. He was not hurt at all and must have been blown out. I will try to list the crews of our Squadron and what I know about them.</p>
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“Lt. Jackson—all killed.<br />
“Lt. Gunn—one gunner got out.<br />
“Lt. Combs—all killed.<br />
“Lt. Smithers—all safe.<br />
“Lt. Hildreth—all safe.<br />
“Lt. Gus—some out (?).</p>
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“We were told by the Germans that John was killed, but of course I did not know if they were telling the truth or not”.</p>
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