Description
John registered to the army on October 16th, 1940. He entered the army in England as a member of the Air Forces transport command on August 1st, 1943. After the training he entered the combat in January 1944. He was reported Missing in Action since April 22nd, 1944, when his plane did not return from mission, but was later confirmed that he is Prisoner of War in Germany. He was detained in Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf near Krems in Austria.
He was awarded Air Medal before his last mission in April 1944. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross which was given to his mother in November 1944, when he was a Prisoner of War in Germany.
Links
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52985210/john-frank-beseda
- https://www.fold3.com/page/84794330-john-f-beseda
Photos
Documents
Sources
West News, Vol. 54, No. 51, Ed. 1 Friday, May 12, 1944, p. 1; West News, Vol. 54, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, May 19, 1944, p. 1; West News, Vol. 55, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, June 9, 1944, p. 1; West News, Vol. 55, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, November 17, 1944, p. 4
John Frank Jr. Beseda
Personal information
| Other names | Johnie |
| Gender | Man |
| Date of Birth | 08/27/1919 |
| Date of Death | 03/08/1963 |
| Place of Birth | Abbott, Hill County, TX |
| Place of Death | Abbott, Hill County, TX |
| Immigration | Grandchild to at least one Czech-born grandparent. |
| Could speak Czech | Not identified |
| Parents | John Frank Sr. Beseda and Sophie (Makovy) Beseda |
Military information
| Area of War | Europe |
| Rank | S/Sgt. |
| Branch | Air force |
| Detail of Service | Tail gunner on a B-24 |
| Missing in action | |
| Prisoner of War | |
| Award |