Zasa John Louis

Name:

John Louis Zasa

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

39559999

Unit:

600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-11-30

State:

California

Cemetery:

Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA

Plot:

Sanctuary of Peace

Row:

Grave:

Crypt C-69

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

John Louis Zasa was born on November 7, 1914, in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. He was the son of Frank Ricciotto Zasa and Victoria M. Zasa. He enlisted in the service on February 13, 1943. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17 #43-38463 during World War II.

On November 30, 1944, the aircraft was lost during a bombing mission over Zeitz, Germany. Operating from Nuthampstead, England, the aircraft was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire (flak) and crashed near Großlöbichau, close to Jena-Bürgel, Germany. Six crew members were killed, two taken as POWs, and one evaded capture.

SSgt Zasa was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA. John L. Zasa's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 10, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org