John H Prowell Jr (1915 - 1944)

Born 26 Jun 1915 in Bessemer Junction, Jefferson, Alabama, United States

Husband of Eddie Lee (Ford) Prowell — married 15 Nov 1941 in Jefferson, Alabama, United States

Died 24 May 1944 at age 28 in Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy

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Biography

Lt. John Prowell Jr was Missing in Action during World War II.

John Prowell Jr is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Army Air Force 301st Fighter Squadron 1943-1944
Tuskegee Airman flying Ace

John Prowell Jr was awarded the Purple Heart.

John Prowell Jr is Notable.

John was one of eight children born to John Prowell and Millie Butler. ^[1]. At the time of his birth, his father was employed as a fireman for a coal mine. By 1930, his father was working for a coal yard, ^[2], and ten years later, his father owned his home and was working for a construction company. ^[3] . At that time, John was still living at home. In November of 1941, he married Eddie Lee Ford in Jefferson, Alabama.^[4] A year later, he enlisted at Ft. McClellan in Alabama, entered the Tuskegee Air Cadet program, and in February of 1943, he had completed his training. ^[5]. He was assigned to Montecorvino Airfield in Catanzaro, Italy with the 301st Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter group in the 12th Air Force.

On May 24, 1944, Lt. Prowell was flying a P39 on a routine convoy patrol when he signaled to 2nd Lt. Gene C. Browne that his radio was out. Lt Browne assumed the lead position, and noted that Lt. Prowell was behind him and did not seem to be in any kind of trouble. After steering back on course, Browne noticed that Prowell was no longer behind him but presumed that he had returned to base before him. When Browne landed to refuel, he learned that Prowell had not returned. At that point, Browne went back out in search of Prowell and noticed an oil slick in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Upon closer investigation, he could see sea marker dye in a May West life preserver but no body nearby.^[6].

Lt. John H Prowell, Jr. was pronounced Missing in action on May 24, 1944 and presumed dead on May 25, 1944. His name is inscribed upon the Tablets of the Missing in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, ^[7]. A memorial marker was placed at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.^[8].

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX8Q-C3Z : accessed 2 July 2020), John H Prowell in household of John Prowell, Lewisburg, Jefferson, Alabama, United States; citing ED 131, sheet 4B, line 92, family 86, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 21; FHL microfilm 1,820,021.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:3NJ4-LMM : accessed 2 July 2020), John H Prowell in household of John Prowell, Dickinson, Jefferson, Alabama, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 161, sheet 15B, line 77, family 368, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 31; FHL microfilm 2,339,766.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V1GP-62G : 10 February 2020), John Henry Prowell in household of John Prowell, Fulton Springs, Election Precinct 22, Jefferson, Alabama, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 37-79, sheet 1B, line 58, family 14, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 44.
4. ↑ "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZVL-92N : 19 February 2021), John Henry Prowell and Eddie Lee Ford, 15 Nov 1941; citing Jefferson, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 2,408,090.
5. ↑ Pittsburgh Courier 27 Feb 1943, pg 8.
6. ↑ MACR 13687 A/C 4402719
7. ↑ https://www.abmc.gov/decedent-search/prowell%3Djohn
8. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55244109/john-henry-prowell