(By double clicking on the photo at right, see add'l info in the caption) ... John Wiley Adams III the son of Olive and John Wiley Adams Jr. was born in 1923 in Kansas; and attended Leavenworth High School, graduating with the class of 1941. He was the Cadet Colonel in the school's ROTC, and then attended the West Point Preparatory School at Fort Leavenworth.
On November 21, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Bielecki at Sumter County, Georgia. In May 1943 he was assigned to Ephrata Air Base, at Ephrata, Washington; and on June 30, 1943 was at Geiger Field.
On October 21, 1943: "Today at 5 o'clock we said our goodbyes at Scott Field, Illinois. He is going overseas now."
Eyewitness Report: "A/C #817 was #3 in lead element, lead squadron. Near 5410 N 0910 E the leader flew into a dense layer of clouds. The leader of the second element pulled up above the overcast and his wing men peeled off right and left. None of these crews saw the leading element again. Crews in the 100th B group flying in the combat wing behind turned back before entering the cloud bank. Most of the crews observed a large explosion behind them and slightly above the formation. It is believed that A/C 970 and A/C 817 collided and exploded and that A/C 017 which is missing was damaged by explosion. A VHF signal was received from A/C 017 a short time later saying that the pilot intended to try to reach Sweden ..."
(Name of newspaper not listed, but partial handwritten date of March 18th, 1944 provided): "Lieut. John W. Adams Missing. Did not return following flight over Germany on March 3. Second Lieutenant John W. Adams III, husband of the former Helen Bielecki, 200 Maple Avenue, and a son of Captain and Mrs. J.W. Adams Jr., of Detroit, Mich., former of Fort Leavenworth, has been reported missing in action by the War department following action of Germany March 3.
"[Sent] by the Army's Adjutant General, the telegram was received by Mrs. Adams this Saturday night. She is living with her parents Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Bielecki, for the duration.
"A graduate of Leavenworth Senior high school in 1941, Lt. Adams entered the service in June 1941, entering the West Point Preparatory school at Fort Leavenworth. He transferred into the Air Corps in July of 1943 and had his initial training at Maxwell Field, Geiger Field and the Ephrata Washington Air Center."
2Lt. John Wiley Adams III, service number 801587, was killed in action on March 3, 1944 a member of the 349th Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group. He was assigned as co-pilot to Air Crew #817, aboard the B-17 "Murderers Row". He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, and buried at Plot A Row 41 Grave 23 at the Ardennes American Cemetery at Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), near Liège, Belgium.
Sources: U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945; Star & Stripes Newspaper, Tuesday, September 20, 1948; Leavenworth Kansas Sentinel; US War Department Records; Official Telegram to Mrs. Helen M. Adams, March 18, 1944; sumtercountyhistory.com/marriage/MarrByHusb/Groom_A.htm, book 24; page 158; scrapbook maintained by Helen Marie (née Bielecki) Adams from 1942-1944; Leavenworth High School Librarian, Laurie Hunt (Oct 2012).
On November 21, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Bielecki at Sumter County, Georgia. In May 1943 he was assigned to Ephrata Air Base, at Ephrata, Washington; and on June 30, 1943 was at Geiger Field.
On October 21, 1943: "Today at 5 o'clock we said our goodbyes at Scott Field, Illinois. He is going overseas now."
Eyewitness Report: "A/C #817 was #3 in lead element, lead squadron. Near 5410 N 0910 E the leader flew into a dense layer of clouds. The leader of the second element pulled up above the overcast and his wing men peeled off right and left. None of these crews saw the leading element again. Crews in the 100th B group flying in the combat wing behind turned back before entering the cloud bank. Most of the crews observed a large explosion behind them and slightly above the formation. It is believed that A/C 970 and A/C 817 collided and exploded and that A/C 017 which is missing was damaged by explosion. A VHF signal was received from A/C 017 a short time later saying that the pilot intended to try to reach Sweden ..."
(Name of newspaper not listed, but partial handwritten date of March 18th, 1944 provided): "Lieut. John W. Adams Missing. Did not return following flight over Germany on March 3. Second Lieutenant John W. Adams III, husband of the former Helen Bielecki, 200 Maple Avenue, and a son of Captain and Mrs. J.W. Adams Jr., of Detroit, Mich., former of Fort Leavenworth, has been reported missing in action by the War department following action of Germany March 3.
"[Sent] by the Army's Adjutant General, the telegram was received by Mrs. Adams this Saturday night. She is living with her parents Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Bielecki, for the duration.
"A graduate of Leavenworth Senior high school in 1941, Lt. Adams entered the service in June 1941, entering the West Point Preparatory school at Fort Leavenworth. He transferred into the Air Corps in July of 1943 and had his initial training at Maxwell Field, Geiger Field and the Ephrata Washington Air Center."
2Lt. John Wiley Adams III, service number 801587, was killed in action on March 3, 1944 a member of the 349th Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group. He was assigned as co-pilot to Air Crew #817, aboard the B-17 "Murderers Row". He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, and buried at Plot A Row 41 Grave 23 at the Ardennes American Cemetery at Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), near Liège, Belgium.
Sources: U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945; Star & Stripes Newspaper, Tuesday, September 20, 1948; Leavenworth Kansas Sentinel; US War Department Records; Official Telegram to Mrs. Helen M. Adams, March 18, 1944; sumtercountyhistory.com/marriage/MarrByHusb/Groom_A.htm, book 24; page 158; scrapbook maintained by Helen Marie (née Bielecki) Adams from 1942-1944; Leavenworth High School Librarian, Laurie Hunt (Oct 2012).
(By double clicking on the photo at right, see add'l info in the caption) ... John Wiley Adams III the son of Olive and John Wiley Adams Jr. was born in 1923 in Kansas; and attended Leavenworth High School, graduating with the class of 1941. He was the Cadet Colonel in the school's ROTC, and then attended the West Point Preparatory School at Fort Leavenworth.
On November 21, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Bielecki at Sumter County, Georgia. In May 1943 he was assigned to Ephrata Air Base, at Ephrata, Washington; and on June 30, 1943 was at Geiger Field.
On October 21, 1943: "Today at 5 o'clock we said our goodbyes at Scott Field, Illinois. He is going overseas now."
Eyewitness Report: "A/C #817 was #3 in lead element, lead squadron. Near 5410 N 0910 E the leader flew into a dense layer of clouds. The leader of the second element pulled up above the overcast and his wing men peeled off right and left. None of these crews saw the leading element again. Crews in the 100th B group flying in the combat wing behind turned back before entering the cloud bank. Most of the crews observed a large explosion behind them and slightly above the formation. It is believed that A/C 970 and A/C 817 collided and exploded and that A/C 017 which is missing was damaged by explosion. A VHF signal was received from A/C 017 a short time later saying that the pilot intended to try to reach Sweden ..."
(Name of newspaper not listed, but partial handwritten date of March 18th, 1944 provided): "Lieut. John W. Adams Missing. Did not return following flight over Germany on March 3. Second Lieutenant John W. Adams III, husband of the former Helen Bielecki, 200 Maple Avenue, and a son of Captain and Mrs. J.W. Adams Jr., of Detroit, Mich., former of Fort Leavenworth, has been reported missing in action by the War department following action of Germany March 3.
"[Sent] by the Army's Adjutant General, the telegram was received by Mrs. Adams this Saturday night. She is living with her parents Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Bielecki, for the duration.
"A graduate of Leavenworth Senior high school in 1941, Lt. Adams entered the service in June 1941, entering the West Point Preparatory school at Fort Leavenworth. He transferred into the Air Corps in July of 1943 and had his initial training at Maxwell Field, Geiger Field and the Ephrata Washington Air Center."
2Lt. John Wiley Adams III, service number 801587, was killed in action on March 3, 1944 a member of the 349th Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group. He was assigned as co-pilot to Air Crew #817, aboard the B-17 "Murderers Row". He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, and buried at Plot A Row 41 Grave 23 at the Ardennes American Cemetery at Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), near Liège, Belgium.
Sources: U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945; Star & Stripes Newspaper, Tuesday, September 20, 1948; Leavenworth Kansas Sentinel; US War Department Records; Official Telegram to Mrs. Helen M. Adams, March 18, 1944; sumtercountyhistory.com/marriage/MarrByHusb/Groom_A.htm, book 24; page 158; scrapbook maintained by Helen Marie (née Bielecki) Adams from 1942-1944; Leavenworth High School Librarian, Laurie Hunt (Oct 2012).
On November 21, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Bielecki at Sumter County, Georgia. In May 1943 he was assigned to Ephrata Air Base, at Ephrata, Washington; and on June 30, 1943 was at Geiger Field.
On October 21, 1943: "Today at 5 o'clock we said our goodbyes at Scott Field, Illinois. He is going overseas now."
Eyewitness Report: "A/C #817 was #3 in lead element, lead squadron. Near 5410 N 0910 E the leader flew into a dense layer of clouds. The leader of the second element pulled up above the overcast and his wing men peeled off right and left. None of these crews saw the leading element again. Crews in the 100th B group flying in the combat wing behind turned back before entering the cloud bank. Most of the crews observed a large explosion behind them and slightly above the formation. It is believed that A/C 970 and A/C 817 collided and exploded and that A/C 017 which is missing was damaged by explosion. A VHF signal was received from A/C 017 a short time later saying that the pilot intended to try to reach Sweden ..."
(Name of newspaper not listed, but partial handwritten date of March 18th, 1944 provided): "Lieut. John W. Adams Missing. Did not return following flight over Germany on March 3. Second Lieutenant John W. Adams III, husband of the former Helen Bielecki, 200 Maple Avenue, and a son of Captain and Mrs. J.W. Adams Jr., of Detroit, Mich., former of Fort Leavenworth, has been reported missing in action by the War department following action of Germany March 3.
"[Sent] by the Army's Adjutant General, the telegram was received by Mrs. Adams this Saturday night. She is living with her parents Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Bielecki, for the duration.
"A graduate of Leavenworth Senior high school in 1941, Lt. Adams entered the service in June 1941, entering the West Point Preparatory school at Fort Leavenworth. He transferred into the Air Corps in July of 1943 and had his initial training at Maxwell Field, Geiger Field and the Ephrata Washington Air Center."
2Lt. John Wiley Adams III, service number 801587, was killed in action on March 3, 1944 a member of the 349th Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group. He was assigned as co-pilot to Air Crew #817, aboard the B-17 "Murderers Row". He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, and buried at Plot A Row 41 Grave 23 at the Ardennes American Cemetery at Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), near Liège, Belgium.
Sources: U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945; Star & Stripes Newspaper, Tuesday, September 20, 1948; Leavenworth Kansas Sentinel; US War Department Records; Official Telegram to Mrs. Helen M. Adams, March 18, 1944; sumtercountyhistory.com/marriage/MarrByHusb/Groom_A.htm, book 24; page 158; scrapbook maintained by Helen Marie (née Bielecki) Adams from 1942-1944; Leavenworth High School Librarian, Laurie Hunt (Oct 2012).
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Kansas.
Family Members
Siblings
