Colonel John Tomhave, second from left, with staff. Left to right: Major Roy Reeve, Group Operations Officer, Tomhave, Lt. Colonel William Herblin, Deputy Group Commander, and Major Walter Ladner, Group Intelligence Officer.
Colonel John Tomhave became the group's second commander, replacing Colonel Arnold when he was shot down. Colonel Tomhave was shot down by flak on February 16, 1945, near Villach, Austria, while returning from a mission to Regensberg, Germany. He managed to bail out and was captured by the Germans, but was killed on February 22, 1945 when Allied fighters strafed a POW train he was on.
-----------------
From the West Point Association of Graduates memorial: John Porter Tomhave was born on 3 November 1916 at Montevideo, Minnesota. His parents were John B, And Gertrude P. Tomhave of Montevideo.
John (called Jack by his friends) attended Central High School in Montevideo from 1930-34 and the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis from 1934-35. He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard for two years and was a member of the ROTC while at the University of Minnesota. In 1935 he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy by Representative John P, Kvale from the 7th District, Minnesota.Jack graduated from West Point in June 1939, he was never high-ranking academically, but his class standing improved steadily throughout the four-year term. His athletic record included plebe football, hockey in 1936-37, cross-country in 1937, and lacrosse in 1936-38. His other activities included Cadet Chapel Choir, 100th Night Show cast in 1939 and company Pointer representative.Jack's chosen branch when he graduated was the Cavalry. Horses and riding were his loves when he was a cadet, his classmates had even nicknamed him "Trooper".His first duty station was Fort Clark, Texas, with the 5th Cavalry. He served at Fort Clark from September 1939 to December 1940. On 14 December 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Jack married Mary E. (Betty) Kellam of San Antonio, TexasJack was detailed to the Cavalry School, Fort Riley, Kansas in January 1941 and, after completion of the Cavalry School, was assigned to the 9th Cavalry at Fort Riley. Daughter Joan was born on 6 October 1941.While he was at Fort Riley, Jack became concerned over the trend towards mechanization of the cavalry. He felt that the cavalry life he had looked forward to was not destined to continue for long. Accordingly, he requested a transfer to the Air Corps for flight training. When his request was disapproved by the Chief of Cavalry, Jack applied directly to the Chief of the Air Corps. He was finally successful and entered flight training at The Primary Flying School at King City, California in June 1941. He completed Basic training at Moffett Field, California, Advanced training at Victorville, California and graduated in the class of 42-G in June 1942.Jack was stationed at MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida, flying B-26 aircraft, until he was ordered overseas in January 1944. He was assigned to the 55th Bomb Wing, Fifteenth Air Force, Bari, Italy. The 55th Bomb Wing headquarters was located at Spinazzola, a small town near Bari. While at the 55th Bomb Wing, Jack flew B-24s (Liberators) with the different Groups of the Wing. In August 1944, Jack was assigned as commander of the 485th Bomb Group, located at Venosa Airfield in the Bari area. Subsequently he was promoted to colonel. At the 485th, Jack revealed that he still loved horses; he named his B-24 aircraft "Pegasus."On 16 February 1945 on a bombing mission to Villach, Austria, Jack's aircraft was shot down by enemy anti aircraft fire north of Chiusaforte, Italy. He successfully parachuted and evaded the enemy until the morning of 18 February, when enemy troops captured him near Villanova, Italy. He was placed aboard a train for transfer to a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany. On 22 February, while en route, the train was strafed by Allied aircraft near Ansbach, Germany, and Jack was hit and killed. His body was interred at the Waldfriedhof Cemetery in Ansbach. After the war, he was re-interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery at Saint Avoid, France (now titled the Lorraine American Cemetery).Jack's awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross (for leading a highly successful bombing mission against the Ploesti oil fields), three Air Medals, the Croix de Guerre, and a posthumous Purple Heart. Jack was one of the few members of his West Point class to achieve the rank of colonel during the war. He was a fine pilot, and his resolute character, his dogged determination and his sense of integrity were apparent to everyone who knew him, both when he was a cadet and throughout his service in the Cavalry and the Air Corps. His unfortunate death cut short a career that could have led to high levels in the post-war Air Force.
~
Entered the service from Minnesota.
Colonel John Tomhave became the group's second commander, replacing Colonel Arnold when he was shot down. Colonel Tomhave was shot down by flak on February 16, 1945, near Villach, Austria, while returning from a mission to Regensberg, Germany. He managed to bail out and was captured by the Germans, but was killed on February 22, 1945 when Allied fighters strafed a POW train he was on.
-----------------
From the West Point Association of Graduates memorial: John Porter Tomhave was born on 3 November 1916 at Montevideo, Minnesota. His parents were John B, And Gertrude P. Tomhave of Montevideo.
John (called Jack by his friends) attended Central High School in Montevideo from 1930-34 and the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis from 1934-35. He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard for two years and was a member of the ROTC while at the University of Minnesota. In 1935 he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy by Representative John P, Kvale from the 7th District, Minnesota.Jack graduated from West Point in June 1939, he was never high-ranking academically, but his class standing improved steadily throughout the four-year term. His athletic record included plebe football, hockey in 1936-37, cross-country in 1937, and lacrosse in 1936-38. His other activities included Cadet Chapel Choir, 100th Night Show cast in 1939 and company Pointer representative.Jack's chosen branch when he graduated was the Cavalry. Horses and riding were his loves when he was a cadet, his classmates had even nicknamed him "Trooper".His first duty station was Fort Clark, Texas, with the 5th Cavalry. He served at Fort Clark from September 1939 to December 1940. On 14 December 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Jack married Mary E. (Betty) Kellam of San Antonio, TexasJack was detailed to the Cavalry School, Fort Riley, Kansas in January 1941 and, after completion of the Cavalry School, was assigned to the 9th Cavalry at Fort Riley. Daughter Joan was born on 6 October 1941.While he was at Fort Riley, Jack became concerned over the trend towards mechanization of the cavalry. He felt that the cavalry life he had looked forward to was not destined to continue for long. Accordingly, he requested a transfer to the Air Corps for flight training. When his request was disapproved by the Chief of Cavalry, Jack applied directly to the Chief of the Air Corps. He was finally successful and entered flight training at The Primary Flying School at King City, California in June 1941. He completed Basic training at Moffett Field, California, Advanced training at Victorville, California and graduated in the class of 42-G in June 1942.Jack was stationed at MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida, flying B-26 aircraft, until he was ordered overseas in January 1944. He was assigned to the 55th Bomb Wing, Fifteenth Air Force, Bari, Italy. The 55th Bomb Wing headquarters was located at Spinazzola, a small town near Bari. While at the 55th Bomb Wing, Jack flew B-24s (Liberators) with the different Groups of the Wing. In August 1944, Jack was assigned as commander of the 485th Bomb Group, located at Venosa Airfield in the Bari area. Subsequently he was promoted to colonel. At the 485th, Jack revealed that he still loved horses; he named his B-24 aircraft "Pegasus."On 16 February 1945 on a bombing mission to Villach, Austria, Jack's aircraft was shot down by enemy anti aircraft fire north of Chiusaforte, Italy. He successfully parachuted and evaded the enemy until the morning of 18 February, when enemy troops captured him near Villanova, Italy. He was placed aboard a train for transfer to a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany. On 22 February, while en route, the train was strafed by Allied aircraft near Ansbach, Germany, and Jack was hit and killed. His body was interred at the Waldfriedhof Cemetery in Ansbach. After the war, he was re-interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery at Saint Avoid, France (now titled the Lorraine American Cemetery).Jack's awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross (for leading a highly successful bombing mission against the Ploesti oil fields), three Air Medals, the Croix de Guerre, and a posthumous Purple Heart. Jack was one of the few members of his West Point class to achieve the rank of colonel during the war. He was a fine pilot, and his resolute character, his dogged determination and his sense of integrity were apparent to everyone who knew him, both when he was a cadet and throughout his service in the Cavalry and the Air Corps. His unfortunate death cut short a career that could have led to high levels in the post-war Air Force.
~
Entered the service from Minnesota.
Colonel John Tomhave, second from left, with staff. Left to right: Major Roy Reeve, Group Operations Officer, Tomhave, Lt. Colonel William Herblin, Deputy Group Commander, and Major Walter Ladner, Group Intelligence Officer.
Colonel John Tomhave became the group's second commander, replacing Colonel Arnold when he was shot down. Colonel Tomhave was shot down by flak on February 16, 1945, near Villach, Austria, while returning from a mission to Regensberg, Germany. He managed to bail out and was captured by the Germans, but was killed on February 22, 1945 when Allied fighters strafed a POW train he was on.
-----------------
From the West Point Association of Graduates memorial: John Porter Tomhave was born on 3 November 1916 at Montevideo, Minnesota. His parents were John B, And Gertrude P. Tomhave of Montevideo.
John (called Jack by his friends) attended Central High School in Montevideo from 1930-34 and the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis from 1934-35. He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard for two years and was a member of the ROTC while at the University of Minnesota. In 1935 he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy by Representative John P, Kvale from the 7th District, Minnesota.Jack graduated from West Point in June 1939, he was never high-ranking academically, but his class standing improved steadily throughout the four-year term. His athletic record included plebe football, hockey in 1936-37, cross-country in 1937, and lacrosse in 1936-38. His other activities included Cadet Chapel Choir, 100th Night Show cast in 1939 and company Pointer representative.Jack's chosen branch when he graduated was the Cavalry. Horses and riding were his loves when he was a cadet, his classmates had even nicknamed him "Trooper".His first duty station was Fort Clark, Texas, with the 5th Cavalry. He served at Fort Clark from September 1939 to December 1940. On 14 December 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Jack married Mary E. (Betty) Kellam of San Antonio, TexasJack was detailed to the Cavalry School, Fort Riley, Kansas in January 1941 and, after completion of the Cavalry School, was assigned to the 9th Cavalry at Fort Riley. Daughter Joan was born on 6 October 1941.While he was at Fort Riley, Jack became concerned over the trend towards mechanization of the cavalry. He felt that the cavalry life he had looked forward to was not destined to continue for long. Accordingly, he requested a transfer to the Air Corps for flight training. When his request was disapproved by the Chief of Cavalry, Jack applied directly to the Chief of the Air Corps. He was finally successful and entered flight training at The Primary Flying School at King City, California in June 1941. He completed Basic training at Moffett Field, California, Advanced training at Victorville, California and graduated in the class of 42-G in June 1942.Jack was stationed at MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida, flying B-26 aircraft, until he was ordered overseas in January 1944. He was assigned to the 55th Bomb Wing, Fifteenth Air Force, Bari, Italy. The 55th Bomb Wing headquarters was located at Spinazzola, a small town near Bari. While at the 55th Bomb Wing, Jack flew B-24s (Liberators) with the different Groups of the Wing. In August 1944, Jack was assigned as commander of the 485th Bomb Group, located at Venosa Airfield in the Bari area. Subsequently he was promoted to colonel. At the 485th, Jack revealed that he still loved horses; he named his B-24 aircraft "Pegasus."On 16 February 1945 on a bombing mission to Villach, Austria, Jack's aircraft was shot down by enemy anti aircraft fire north of Chiusaforte, Italy. He successfully parachuted and evaded the enemy until the morning of 18 February, when enemy troops captured him near Villanova, Italy. He was placed aboard a train for transfer to a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany. On 22 February, while en route, the train was strafed by Allied aircraft near Ansbach, Germany, and Jack was hit and killed. His body was interred at the Waldfriedhof Cemetery in Ansbach. After the war, he was re-interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery at Saint Avoid, France (now titled the Lorraine American Cemetery).Jack's awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross (for leading a highly successful bombing mission against the Ploesti oil fields), three Air Medals, the Croix de Guerre, and a posthumous Purple Heart. Jack was one of the few members of his West Point class to achieve the rank of colonel during the war. He was a fine pilot, and his resolute character, his dogged determination and his sense of integrity were apparent to everyone who knew him, both when he was a cadet and throughout his service in the Cavalry and the Air Corps. His unfortunate death cut short a career that could have led to high levels in the post-war Air Force.
~
Entered the service from Minnesota.
Colonel John Tomhave became the group's second commander, replacing Colonel Arnold when he was shot down. Colonel Tomhave was shot down by flak on February 16, 1945, near Villach, Austria, while returning from a mission to Regensberg, Germany. He managed to bail out and was captured by the Germans, but was killed on February 22, 1945 when Allied fighters strafed a POW train he was on.
-----------------
From the West Point Association of Graduates memorial: John Porter Tomhave was born on 3 November 1916 at Montevideo, Minnesota. His parents were John B, And Gertrude P. Tomhave of Montevideo.
John (called Jack by his friends) attended Central High School in Montevideo from 1930-34 and the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis from 1934-35. He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard for two years and was a member of the ROTC while at the University of Minnesota. In 1935 he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy by Representative John P, Kvale from the 7th District, Minnesota.Jack graduated from West Point in June 1939, he was never high-ranking academically, but his class standing improved steadily throughout the four-year term. His athletic record included plebe football, hockey in 1936-37, cross-country in 1937, and lacrosse in 1936-38. His other activities included Cadet Chapel Choir, 100th Night Show cast in 1939 and company Pointer representative.Jack's chosen branch when he graduated was the Cavalry. Horses and riding were his loves when he was a cadet, his classmates had even nicknamed him "Trooper".His first duty station was Fort Clark, Texas, with the 5th Cavalry. He served at Fort Clark from September 1939 to December 1940. On 14 December 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Jack married Mary E. (Betty) Kellam of San Antonio, TexasJack was detailed to the Cavalry School, Fort Riley, Kansas in January 1941 and, after completion of the Cavalry School, was assigned to the 9th Cavalry at Fort Riley. Daughter Joan was born on 6 October 1941.While he was at Fort Riley, Jack became concerned over the trend towards mechanization of the cavalry. He felt that the cavalry life he had looked forward to was not destined to continue for long. Accordingly, he requested a transfer to the Air Corps for flight training. When his request was disapproved by the Chief of Cavalry, Jack applied directly to the Chief of the Air Corps. He was finally successful and entered flight training at The Primary Flying School at King City, California in June 1941. He completed Basic training at Moffett Field, California, Advanced training at Victorville, California and graduated in the class of 42-G in June 1942.Jack was stationed at MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida, flying B-26 aircraft, until he was ordered overseas in January 1944. He was assigned to the 55th Bomb Wing, Fifteenth Air Force, Bari, Italy. The 55th Bomb Wing headquarters was located at Spinazzola, a small town near Bari. While at the 55th Bomb Wing, Jack flew B-24s (Liberators) with the different Groups of the Wing. In August 1944, Jack was assigned as commander of the 485th Bomb Group, located at Venosa Airfield in the Bari area. Subsequently he was promoted to colonel. At the 485th, Jack revealed that he still loved horses; he named his B-24 aircraft "Pegasus."On 16 February 1945 on a bombing mission to Villach, Austria, Jack's aircraft was shot down by enemy anti aircraft fire north of Chiusaforte, Italy. He successfully parachuted and evaded the enemy until the morning of 18 February, when enemy troops captured him near Villanova, Italy. He was placed aboard a train for transfer to a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany. On 22 February, while en route, the train was strafed by Allied aircraft near Ansbach, Germany, and Jack was hit and killed. His body was interred at the Waldfriedhof Cemetery in Ansbach. After the war, he was re-interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery at Saint Avoid, France (now titled the Lorraine American Cemetery).Jack's awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross (for leading a highly successful bombing mission against the Ploesti oil fields), three Air Medals, the Croix de Guerre, and a posthumous Purple Heart. Jack was one of the few members of his West Point class to achieve the rank of colonel during the war. He was a fine pilot, and his resolute character, his dogged determination and his sense of integrity were apparent to everyone who knew him, both when he was a cadet and throughout his service in the Cavalry and the Air Corps. His unfortunate death cut short a career that could have led to high levels in the post-war Air Force.
~
Entered the service from Minnesota.
Inscription
COL, HQ, 485 AAF BOMB GP WORLD WAR II
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