John Wilbur Squires (1925 - 1945)

Born 26 Feb 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Died 28 Jun 1945 at age 20 in Italy

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Biography

John Squires is Notable.

John Squires was Killed in Action during World War II.

John Squires is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Army Air Force 100th Fighter Squadron 1943-1945
Tuskegee Airman

John Squires was awarded the Purple Heart.

John Wilbur Squires served as a US military pilot during World War II. He was one of the “Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen.” The Tuskegee Airmen were known for heroic combat service in support of Allied Forces in the European Theater. They served with the 332d Expeditionary Operations Group and the 477th Bombardment Group, both largely Black units of the United States Army Air Forces.

John Wilbur Squires was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1925.^[1][2] He was the son of William E and Ida L. Squires. He grew up in St. Louis and attended Sumner High School where he was an active member of Student Council. He was also a member of the track team. ^[3]

John enrolled in the Tuskegee Air Institute and graduated on Sept. 4, 1944. He was commissioned a Flight Officer with the 100th Fighter Squadron, and assigned to his unit in Italy.

On Jun 28, 1945, he departed Cattolica airfield on a mission. He was killed near Pisa, Italy when he crashed the P-51D mustang that he was flying.

He was buried in a temporary cemetery in Vada, Italy prior to being returned home for burial on Nov 26, 1948 in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.^[4][5]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "Missouri, U.S., Birth Registers, 1847-1999"
   Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Birth Index, 1920-1999
   Ancestry Record 1170 #13844533
   John Wilbur Squires born on 26 Feb 1925 in Missouri, USA.
2. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947"
   National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Missouri, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 308
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2238 #15273350
   Name: John Wilbur Squires; Gender: Male; Race: Negro (Black); Age: 18; Birth Date: 27 Feb 1925; Birth Place: St Louis, Missouri, USA; Residence Place: St Louis, Missouri, USA; Registration Date: 1 Mar 1943; Registration Place: St Louis, Missouri, USA; Employer: Student; Height: 5 11; Weight: 170; Complexion: Light Brown; Hair Color: Black; Eye Color: Brown; Next of Kin: W Squires Mother.
3. ↑ Sumner High School Yearbook, 1940
4. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42299544/john-wilber-squires
5. ↑ "U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962"
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2590 #1880979
   Name: John W Squires; Death Date: 28 Jun 1945; Cemetery: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery; Burial Location: St. Louis, Missouri.

• 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1930; Census Place: St Louis, St. Louis (Independent City), Missouri; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0096; FHL microfilm: 2340978
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6224 #3734197
  John Squires (5), single son, in household of William Squires (44) at 4312 Labadie Ave, St Louis, St. Louis (Independent City), Missouri, USA. Born in Missouri.
• 1940 Census: "1940 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1940; Census Place: St Louis, St Louis City, Missouri; Roll: m-t0627-02201; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 96-492
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2442 #88669976
  John Squires (15), single son, in household of Ida Squires (54) in St Louis, St Louis City, Missouri. Born in Missouri.

• Military: "U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946"
  National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 12396; Reel: 5
  Ancestry Record 8939 #1450088
  Name: John W Squires; Race: Negro (Black); Marital Status: Single, without dependents (Single); Rank: Private; Birth Year: 1925; Nativity State or Country: Missouri; Citizenship: Citizen; Residence: St Louis City, Missouri; Education: 4 years of high school; Enlistment Date: 3 Jul 1943; Enlistment Place: Jefferson Barracks, Missouri; Service Number: 37617802; Branch: No branch assignment; Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men); Source: Civil Life; Height: 64; Weight: 632.
• https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=323465