Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
SCARANO, Joseph Harding
Date of birth
1920
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Johnsonburg, Elk County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Johnsonburg, Elk County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
13048059
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
399th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
15 September 1943
Place of death
Between Le Pecq and Le Mesnil-le-Roi, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Plot Row Grave
A 33 55

Immediate family

Members
Vincent Scarano (father)
Josephine (Cerro) Scarano (mother)
Nicholas V. Scarano (brother)
Margaret B. Scarano (sister)
Emma Scarano (sister)
Benadetta Scarano (sister)
Olivia V. Scarano (sister)
Vincent S. Scarano (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-3437
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Excalibur’s Revenge
Destination: Paris, France
Mission: Bombing of the Hispano-Suiza industrial complex
MACR: 726

More information

S/Sgt Joseph H. Scarano volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on 15 January 1942.

The airplane was critically hit. While initial U.S. military records attributed the loss to German anti-aircraft flak, German fighter records indicate it was claimed as an aerial victory by Staffelkapitän Herbert Huppertz of Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG 2) at an altitude of 7,000 meters. The bomber suffered an in-flight explosion, scattering wreckage between Le Pecq and Le Mesnil-le-Roi. Out of the crew of 10 men, 9 were killed in action.

He was first interred in the New Cemetery at Virofly, Paris and was later reburied at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Solers, France.

He is remembered at the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Eric Ackerman / Russ Pickett / Frogman, https://b17flyingfortress.de/

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy / Russ Pickett / CABrown

Website by Wink