John F. Grimes

Technical Sergeant • U.S. Army Air Forces • Serial 13004975

401st Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, Heavy

Entered service from New Jersey • Died February 26, 1943

Missing in action or buried at sea — Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England

Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart

Technical Sergeant John F. Grimes had lost his parents at an early age. He had lived with his half-sister, Mrs. Bertha Mitchell Luciano, at 106 Chews Landing Road in Clementon, NJ. He had completed two years of high school prior to entering the working world. John F. Grimes enlisted in the Army at age 18, on August 8, 1940. Originally destined to serve with the Quartermaster Corps in the Panama Canal Zone, John F. Grimes qualified for flight duty, and was made part of a B-17 bomber crew assigned to the 401st Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, Heavy.

John F. Grimes was lost when the B-17F 42-5362, known as Short Snorter II, crashed in the North Sea on a mission to Wilhelmshaven (MACR 15712). All ten crewmembers were lost.

John F. Grimes was survived by his half-sister, Mrs. Bertha Mitchell Luciano, and his half-brother, Patrolman George Mitchell of the Clementon police department.

Short Snorter II arrived at Bassingbourn, England, in early January 1943 and was immediately pressed into service. She had not been test flown by the 91st Bomb Group before being sent on a mission on January 13. Captain Oscar O’Neill’s crew was assigned to Short Snorter II for this mission, as their regular plane, Invasion 2nd, was still being repaired from damage incurred on the mission to Lorient on December 30. She was not up to flying a combat mission—a series of technical failures occurred including engine problems, oxygen leaks, and faulty guns, and the mission was aborted.

After two more aborted missions in January, Short Snorter II was assigned to First Lieutenant Beman E. Smith and his crew. She flew her first successful combat mission on February 4, 1943, bombing Emden under heavy fighter attack. On the 4th of February, the 91st Group was hit by 15–20 German fighters over the target, continuing to pound the bombers on the way home until well out over the North Sea.

This was all to change on February 26, 1943. On this day the primary target was harbor facilities at Bremen, with the port of Wilhelmshaven as the alternate target. Lieutenant Smith’s crew was aboard Short Snorter II again. Technical Sergeant Benjamin F. Ward was filling in for Technical Sergeant Norman L. Thompson as flight engineer and top turret gunner—Thompson had injured his hands in a ground accident and was grounded for the mission. This injury was to save his life.

Short Snorter II was reported turning back just before reaching the Frisian Islands, under control and apparently undamaged—most likely Lieutenant Smith was encountering more mechanical problems. Almost immediately after Short Snorter II left the formation, she was observed being pounced upon by five twin-engine Ju-88 enemy aircraft. There were no further observations. Short Snorter II, along with all ten of her crew, went to the bottom of the North Sea.

Thus ended the brief and tragic life of Short Snorter II, credited with four missions, only one of which resulted in bombs being dropped on a target. The names of John F. Grimes and the other nine crewmembers are inscribed on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery in England.