Radio Operator aboard B-17F Flying Fortress #42-29893 "El Diablo" in World War II.
Shot down by German fighter cannon fire over Erce-en-Lemee, France, while on mission to Nantes. Pilot, First Lt. Floyd H Jamerson was killed in the cockpit. The co-pilot ordered the crew to bailout. Technical Sergeant Paznar was killed in his parachute harness when the German fighters strafed him while he was descending. There exists a French memorial to Jamerson and Paznar in the town.
Two crew members were Killed In Action, six were taken as Prisoners of War and two
evaded capture.
~
The following was published in the Chisholm Tribune Press:
T-SGT. JOHN F. PAZNAR
John F. Paznar, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paznar, Sr., 617 Seventh street northwest, entered the service in April 1942 and was reported missing Sept. 16, 1943 when his plane was shot down over Nantes, France, and he jumped. He died of wounds the same day, but was listed as missing for 18 months. It was his 15th mission. He was a radio operator on a B17 with the 8th AAF. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the European theatre ribbon, the Asiatic Theatre ribbon, and Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. The latter awards were made on Feb. 14, 1944.
Shot down by German fighter cannon fire over Erce-en-Lemee, France, while on mission to Nantes. Pilot, First Lt. Floyd H Jamerson was killed in the cockpit. The co-pilot ordered the crew to bailout. Technical Sergeant Paznar was killed in his parachute harness when the German fighters strafed him while he was descending. There exists a French memorial to Jamerson and Paznar in the town.
Two crew members were Killed In Action, six were taken as Prisoners of War and two
evaded capture.
~
The following was published in the Chisholm Tribune Press:
T-SGT. JOHN F. PAZNAR
John F. Paznar, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paznar, Sr., 617 Seventh street northwest, entered the service in April 1942 and was reported missing Sept. 16, 1943 when his plane was shot down over Nantes, France, and he jumped. He died of wounds the same day, but was listed as missing for 18 months. It was his 15th mission. He was a radio operator on a B17 with the 8th AAF. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the European theatre ribbon, the Asiatic Theatre ribbon, and Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. The latter awards were made on Feb. 14, 1944.
Radio Operator aboard B-17F Flying Fortress #42-29893 "El Diablo" in World War II.
Shot down by German fighter cannon fire over Erce-en-Lemee, France, while on mission to Nantes. Pilot, First Lt. Floyd H Jamerson was killed in the cockpit. The co-pilot ordered the crew to bailout. Technical Sergeant Paznar was killed in his parachute harness when the German fighters strafed him while he was descending. There exists a French memorial to Jamerson and Paznar in the town.
Two crew members were Killed In Action, six were taken as Prisoners of War and two
evaded capture.
~
The following was published in the Chisholm Tribune Press:
T-SGT. JOHN F. PAZNAR
John F. Paznar, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paznar, Sr., 617 Seventh street northwest, entered the service in April 1942 and was reported missing Sept. 16, 1943 when his plane was shot down over Nantes, France, and he jumped. He died of wounds the same day, but was listed as missing for 18 months. It was his 15th mission. He was a radio operator on a B17 with the 8th AAF. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the European theatre ribbon, the Asiatic Theatre ribbon, and Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. The latter awards were made on Feb. 14, 1944.
Shot down by German fighter cannon fire over Erce-en-Lemee, France, while on mission to Nantes. Pilot, First Lt. Floyd H Jamerson was killed in the cockpit. The co-pilot ordered the crew to bailout. Technical Sergeant Paznar was killed in his parachute harness when the German fighters strafed him while he was descending. There exists a French memorial to Jamerson and Paznar in the town.
Two crew members were Killed In Action, six were taken as Prisoners of War and two
evaded capture.
~
The following was published in the Chisholm Tribune Press:
T-SGT. JOHN F. PAZNAR
John F. Paznar, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paznar, Sr., 617 Seventh street northwest, entered the service in April 1942 and was reported missing Sept. 16, 1943 when his plane was shot down over Nantes, France, and he jumped. He died of wounds the same day, but was listed as missing for 18 months. It was his 15th mission. He was a radio operator on a B17 with the 8th AAF. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the European theatre ribbon, the Asiatic Theatre ribbon, and Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. The latter awards were made on Feb. 14, 1944.
Inscription
TSGT, 524 AAF BOMB SQ, 379 BOMB GP WORLD WAR II
