John Joseph Seerley Jr.
Lieutenant John Joseph Seerley, 13th Aero Squadron, Souilly Aerodrome, France, 1918
Born(1897-11-21)November 21, 1897
Burlington, Iowa
DiedAugust 21, 1943(1943-08-21) (aged 45)
Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, England
Buried
Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Cambridge, England
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1917 - 1919
1942 - 1943
Rank Major
Unit 13th Aero Squadron
VIII Fighter Command
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
Awards Silver Star
 Air Medal
 Purple Heart
Other workInvestment Banker, Lawyer.

John Joseph Seerley Jr. (21 November 1897 – 21 August 1943) was an American pursuit pilot and a flying ace in World War I.[1] He re-joined the United States Army Air Forces in World War II. He was killed in a non-combat accident while serving in England as part of Eighth Air Force.

Biography

Born in Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of United States Congressman John Joseph Seerley. He was a graduate of the University of Chicago, receiving a J.D. degree and a CPA. Seerley joined the Air Service, United States Army in 1917 during World War I. In combat over the Western Front in France, Lieutenant Seerley was credited with shares in five victories.[1] with the 13th Aero Squadron.[2]

After the war, Seerley started his own investment company in Chicago.

During World War II, he re-entered the military, joining the United States Army Air Forces, serving as an air intelligence officer. He was assigned as Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, VIII Fighter Command and was deployed to England. Major Seerley was killed in a vehicle accident in Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, England. For his World War II service, Seerley was awarded the Air Medal and a Silver Star for conscientious service and gallantry in establishing the maximum fighter protection for American heavy bombers during air raids over Germany.[3] He was buried at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Cambridge, England.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Franks (1992) Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914-1918, Grub Street the Basement; First edition (May 1992), ISBN 0948817542
  2. ↑ "John Joseph Seerley Jr. (1897-1943) - Find A". Find a Grave.
  3. 1 2 theaerodrome.com John Joseph Seerley, Jr.
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