John J. Martin Jr. was born in Walton, Delaware County, New York. He was the son of John James Martin. He served in the 20th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Radio Operator in a B-17 #42-32048 nicknamed "Queen," during World War II.

On August 29, 1944, the B-17G “Queen” (42-32048) was shot down near Krhov, close to Bojkovice, during the Air Battle over the White Carpathians. Flying in the Dog 4 position on Mission 263, the bomber was struck by German fighters, caught fire, and exploded. Several crewmen tried to escape, but most were killed when their parachutes failed or ignited; only the co-pilot, Irving Thompson, survived and was captured, later held at Stalag Luft I. All aircraft of the 20th Bomber Squadron were lost, resulting in 41 airmen killed, 28 of whom were buried in a mass grave, while 4 managed to evade capture, and 55 were taken as prisoners of war.

SSgt Martin was one of the 28 U.S. airmen laid to rest in a mass grave at Slavicin, Czechoslovakia, before being exhumed and reinterred at Walton Cemetery, Walton, Delaware County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.honorstates.org