John W. Myrtetus
First Lieutenant John W. Myrtetus of Collingswood, NJ.
Rank: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Serial Number: O-025933
Unit: 612th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Hometown: Collingswood, New Jersey
Killed in Action: , near Caen, France
Buried: Plot A-O-10, Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey
Awards: Purple Heart, Air Medal
First Lieutenant John W. Myrtetus was a 1935 graduate of Collingswood High School. He worked for a year for the Public Service Gas and Electric Company, then entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, after being appointed by local Congressman Charles A. Wolverton. He graduated 61st in a class of 514 at West Point in June of 1943, having qualified for flight training. He received his wings as a pilot the day before graduation. He then received further training on the B-17 bomber in Louisiana, California, and New Mexico. In January 1944, he came home on furlough before flying with his crew to England around Easter of that year. They were assigned to the 612th Bomber Squadron of the 401st Bombardment Group. He earned a promotion to First Lieutenant during this period.
First Lieutenant John Myrtetus was shot down near Caen, France, on June 25, 1944, on a mission in which his aircraft was the lead plane. He would have been promoted to Captain after that mission.
John Myrtetus was survived by his parents, Bedford L. and Regina Myrtetus, of 314 West Browning Road, Collingswood, NJ; brothers Joseph and George; and a sister, Elizabeth, who was married to the future Congressman and Governor of New Jersey, William T. Cahill. His name appears on the World War II War Memorial at Knight’s Park in Collingswood, NJ.
Photos
Photos of John W. Myrtetus.
Beverly National Cemetery
Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey, where First Lieutenant John W. Myrtetus is buried.
Reported Missing in Action
Lieutenant Myrtetus is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Belford Myrtetus, of the Collingswood address. He was the pilot of a B-17 bomber and was reported missing in action over France on June 25, according to a telegram received by his parents. In a letter to his parents received a week ago he said everything was all right and he was o.k. Lieutenant Myrtetus is a graduate of Collingswood High school, class of 1935, and worked one year for Public Service Gas and Electric Company before he was appointed to West Point by Congressman Wolverton. He graduated in June, 1943, and received his wings as a second lieutenant the day before his graduation. He trained at a camp in Louisiana and went overseas around Easter time this year. He was last home on a furlough in January. He also has another brother, George, 14, at home, and a sister, Mrs. William T. Cahill.
Collingswood WWII Memorial Information Card
Collingswood World War II Memorial information card for First Lieutenant John W. Myrtetus.
Lt. John W. Myrtetus Mass Tomorrow
Camden Courier-Post —
Requiem Mass for Lt. John W. Myrtetus, son of Bedford L. and Regina Myrtetus, 314 West Browning road, Collingswood, will be celebrated tomorrow at 7 a. m. in St. John’s R. C. Church Collingswood. Burial will be in U. S. National cemetery. Beverly, at 10:30 a. m.
Lieutenant Myrtetus was graduated from Collingswood High school in 1935, entered West Point in 1940 and was graduated in 1943 as a pilot in the army air force. He went overseas in April, 1944, and was killed that June in a bombing mission over Germany at the age of 26. Also surviving are a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Cahill, Fairview, and two brothers, Joseph and George.