6th August 1944: Group Mission No.92

Target: Oil tanks and processing plant Hamburg, Ger.

467th CASUALTIES as recorded from MISSING AIR CREW REPORTS:

B-24H-15-CF 41-29421 "WALLOWING WILBERT" 791BS MACR#7374

Remarks: Took a direct hit from flak in the right wing, two minutes before the target while on the bomb run. Three crew successfully bailed out and the ship is reported to have exploded in mid-air killing the remaining crew. POWs were 2nd Lt. James R. Gamble (Navigator), S/Sgt. David W. Johnson (Engineer), and S/Sgt. James E. Manning (Radio-oper.)

2nd Lt George J Kotraba, Pilot, KIA

2nd Lt. Sumner A McCartney, Co-pilot, KIA

F/O Joseph W Kirby, Bombardier, KIA

S/Sgt Samuel R. Corbin, Ball-turret, KIA

S/Sgt Dan R. Gage, Gunner, KIA

S/Sgt John H Biggs, Gunner, KIA;p

S/Sgt Thaddeus F. Jez, Tail-gunner, KIA

Abilene Reporter-News, January 18, 1951

SNYDER AIRMAN'S FUNERAL FRIDAY

Snyder, Jan 17 - Final rite for Staff Sgt John H Biggs will be held at 2 pm Friday at the First Methodist Church here.

Sgt Biggs was shot down over Germany during World War II. He was the son of Mr and Mrs A P Biggs of Fort Worth, former residents of Snyder.

Sgt Biggs was born here and attended Snyder Schools. Prior to entering service in 1942, he was employed at the Rohr Aircraft Company in San Diego.

He was an Air Force gunner and was shot down on Aug 6, 1944. His parents were notified that he was missing in action, but they received no further word of his whereabouts until late last year when his body was found in a civilian cemetery in Hamburg.

Burial will be in the Snyder Cemetery under the direction of Bolger-Bartias Funeral Home.

Survivors include his parents; a sister, Bille Arlene Biggs; his grandparents, Mrs. Effie Ramsey and Mr and Mrs J T Biggs, all of Snyder; and an uncle, W J Ramsey, city superintendent.

Name: John Hilborn Biggs

Gender: Male

Race: White

Age: 18

Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)

Birth Place: Snyder Scurry, Texas, USA

Birth Date: 13 Sep 1923

Residence Place: Snyder, Scurry, Texas, USA

Registration Date: 30 Jun 1942

Employer: Rohr Air Craft Corp

Weight: 150

Complexion: Ruddy

Eye Color: Gray

Hair Color: Black

Height: 5 7

Next of Kin: A P Biggs

Source: WWI Draft Registration