Anthony Nickolas “Tony” Perry was born on March 9, 1917, in Girard, Trumbull County, Ohio. He was the son of Nicola Perry and Mary Perry. He enlisted in the service on August 26, 1943. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17 #42-102562 nicknamed ''Knockout'' during World War II.
On November 2, 1944, "Knock Out" participated in a bombing mission targeting the synthetic oil plant in Merseburg, Germany—a heavily defended site. After completing the bombing run, the formation was attacked by German fighter aircraft. "Knock Out" sustained critical damage during this engagement and crashed near Polleben, close to Halle, Germany. Tragically, five crew members were killed in action while the remaining four survived and were captured by German forces, becoming prisoners of war.
SSgt Perry was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands. Anthony N. Perry's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 1 (left), on Butterfly 1.
Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, b17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org