SSGT John Lawrence Nary Ford (WWII)

Remembering SSGT John Lawrence Nary Ford (Fairmont)

February 24, 1922 - October 12, 1943

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SSGT John Lawrence Nary Ford (Service Number 15115355) was born February 24, 1922 in Beckley, WV, the son of William David and Anastasia (Nary) Ford. William was an electrician in an electric shop. 1930 found their family living back in Marion County, at 518 Merchant Street (1930 Census). At some point between the recording of the 1930 Census and 1935, the Fords moved to Wheeling, WV, where William continued his career as an electrician (1940 Census).

In March of 1936, William, now 52, was diagnosed with an abscess in his right lung as a result of tuberculosis. Unfortunately, he never fully recovered, and on May 4, 1936, William died of a cerebral embolism in Wheeling, WV (WV Death Certificate). Anastasia was left with two teenage sons and a young daughter to raise alone. She and her kids moved in with her parents in Fairmont at 419 Quincy Street, while working for a paper company as a book keeper (1940 Census).

A note in John's West Virginia Memory Project profile notes that John graduated from St. Peter's High School.

Military Service:

John enlisted on June 20, 1942 in Fort Thomas Newport, Kentucky. He became a member of the 400th Bombardment Squadron (H), 90th Bombardment Group (H), 5th Bomber Command. John's IDPF (Individual Deceased Personnel File) lists nine different service stations prior to overseas service, with the last being Hamilton Field in California, July 4-7, 1943.

On October 12, 1943, John was serving as a gunner aboard B-24D 42-72789, possibly nicknamed "Sugar Ration" (PacificWrecks). They took off from Port Moresby, on a daylight bombing mission against Rabaul on New Britain Island, in Papua New Guinea. 

Their target area was the enemy shipping area of Simpson Harbor. They encountered heavy flak and dozens of Japanese Zero fighters. Over the target, the squadron experienced intense anti-aircraft fire and bombed the Toboi docks and a docked ship with others bombing another vessel and claimed a direct hit and several near misses while others bombed another ship. After the bomb run, intercepted by roughly 20 Japanese fighters including Zeros and Oscars that made roughly 30 passes. The squadron claimed four shot down including a twin engine bomber (PacificWrecks). 

They were last seen departing the battle scene, badly shot up but under control. However, they failed to return to base and were declared missing in action. Their bodies were never recovered, nor was any evidence of their plane, despite exhaustive searches (IDPF).

The Board of Review from the American Graves Registration Service issued the following statement in 1949: "The above-named personnel, crew members aboard a B-24D1 airplane, Serial Number 42-72789, took off from Wards Airfield, Port Moresby, New Guinea on 12 October 1943 on a combat mission to Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago. The flight was attacked by enemy aircraft and airplane 42-72789 was last seen low over the water at 6 degrees, 30 minutes South, 152 degrees, 10 minutes East, approximately 60 miles southeast of Wido Bay, New Britain and heading for Dobodura, New Guinea, apparently not in trouble." 

A note on the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) adds: "High speed caused increased fuel consumption, other planes returning to base were low on fuel. It is possible the missing airplane ran out of fuel and crashed into the sea."

Survivors and Legacy:

The entire crew of the #42-72729 is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. They were all awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart posthumously. There is a cenotaph for John with his parents and brother at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Fairmont, WV. He is also honored at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. 

11 days before the crash of the #42-72729, John's older brother, 2LT William Ford was killed in a flight maneuver in Montana. John and William were survived by their mother, Anastasia, and their younger sister, Margaret Ann Ford.  Margaret went on to earn a Bachelors of Science degree from Fairmont State College in 1951, and married Thomas Eilerson on February 27, 1954. Anastasia Ford never remarried, and died in 2003 at age 102. At the time of Anastasia's death, Margaret was living in Clearwater, Florida (Washington Post).

Air Crew Lost aboard #42-72729 on 12 Oct 1943:

  • Pilot, 2nd Lt Donald K. McNeff, O-2268476 (NE)
  • Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Lester K. Danks Jr, O-801941 (CT)
  • Navigator, 2nd Lt Lucian B. Gray, O-798792 (FL)
  • Bombardier, 2nd Lt William K. Murray, # O-669381 (NY)
  • Engineer, S/Sgt Francis E. Walker, 31160010 (MA)
  • Asst. Engineer, S/Sgt John A. Smith, 12076979 (NJ)
  • Radio Operator, T/Sgt John E. Gormley, 3117627 (ME)
  • Asst. Radio Operator, S/Sgt Walter E. Kuchta, 31168759 (CT)
  • Gunner, S/Sgt John L. Ford, 15115355 (WV)
  • Gunner, S/Sgt Stephen K. Roos, 32243763 (NJ).

Sources and More Information:

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