Name: John V Cyrus
First Name(s): John V
Last Name: Cyrus
Place of birth: Texas, Dallas Cnty, Dallas
Rank: Capt Pilot
ASN: O-747222
Company: 645th Bomb Sqdrn
Unit: 410th Bomber Grp Light 9th USAAF
Reported as: KIA
Date of incident: 02-01-1945
Place of incident: Maldingen
note: Pilot Capt John V Cyrus took off from airbase Coulommiers, France with Douglas HAVOC A-20J-20-DO, #43-22060, was hit in the bombay by FLAK. Capt Cyryus started to close the bombay doors, about 3 quarters of the way closed they fell open. The plane lurched and smoke started to billow out of his forward bombay. Capt Cyrus pulled up to the right, then the plane dropped down in slow glide and crashed.
At first Turret-Gunner S/Sgt Charles D Rushmore and Armorer-Gunner S/Sgt Robert A Fowle managed to bail out. Bomb Aimer/Navigator 1 Lt George W Epperson soon followed afterwards. They were captured by men of 62. Volksgrenadier-Division, transferred to Air-Field HQ Niedermendig, Germany and were as POW’s imprisoned in Dulag-Luft West.
Destination: Gouvy, Belgium
Mission: Bombing Street-Crossings
MACR: 11518
Unit History of 410th Bombardment Group Light
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