JOHN C. WERTZ – born March 9, 1921 at Carroll, Ohio. Raised and graduated high school in Pleasantville, Ohio. Enlisted in The Army Air Force Corps, as Aviation Cadet from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in October 1942. Took pre-flight at San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center; Bombardier Training and commissioned a 2nd Lt. in August 1943; and B-17 Crew Training at Peyote, Texas, and Alexandria, LA. The crew flew new B-17G from Kearney, NE via South America to Africa to Foggia, Italy.

Credited with 50 B-17 combat missions with the 346th Bomb Sqdn., 99 Bomb Grp., 15th Air Force, Italy. In October 1947, Wertz received a regular Air Force appointment. In Jun 1949, he earned a Mechanical Engineering degree at New Your University and in June 1950, Navigator upgrade rating at Mather AFB, Air Force Project Engineer, Flight Simulators, and Training Devices at Wright Patterson AFB, B-29 Crew Training at Randolph AFB and Forbes AFB 1952.

Flew 30 combat B-29 missions over North Korea from Yakota, Japan with the 98th Bomb Wing (SAC) Systems Program Office. His final assignment was the Air Force Development Plans Office, Tactical Systems, Andrews Air Force Base, MD., Retired at Air Force Systems Command, Andrews AFB as Col. USAF in December 1971. Received the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, plus other awards.

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