• May 24, 1915 – October 14, 1943
• Auburn, New York
• Auburn High School Graduate before attending the University of Tennessee
• Army Air Corps 2nd Lt
• 366 Bomb Squad, 305th Bomb Group 
• Enlisted in March 1942
• Flew out of Chelveston, England
• Co-Pilot for B17 42-3549
  • https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-3549/
• Crashed in B-17 at Horn-Roermond, Holland on October 14, 1943 during the raid known as “Black Thursday” on mission to Schweinfurt
  • 60 B17s were shot down by enemy fighters and heavy anti-aircraft guns
  • http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/254

John Joseph Emperor (May 24, 1915 – October 14, 1943) was from Auburn, New York. He graduated from Auburn High School before attending the University of Tennessee in Liberal Arts from 1933 to 1937. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in March 1942. Emperor was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and served as a co-pilot on board B-17 #42-3549 in the 366th Bomber Squadron of the 305th Bomber Group flying out of Chelveston, England. 2nd Lt Emperor was killed in action when his B-17 crashed after taking enemy aircraft fire outside of Horn-Roermond, Holland on October 14, 1943. October 14th is known as “Black Thursday” and was one of the largest losses for the Army Air Corps during the war. On a mission to Schweinfurt, Germany, the 305th Bomb Group was confronted by extremely heavy enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft Flak on their approach and in their return flight. A reported 60 B-17s were shot down during the mission. 2nd LT. John Emperor is buried at SaintJoseph’s Cemetery in Fleming, New York.

Back to Veterans Memorial Page