United States. A Dfc Group To S/Sgt John Wietecha, “Sassy Sal” Ball Turret Gunner With The 13Th Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, bronze gilt, measures 43mm (w) x 47mm (h- inclusive of integral suspension ring), rim numbered 16264, on original ribbon with brooch pinback, edges lightly worn, gilt wear on raised points, overall near very fine condition and accompanied by its button lapel pin, bronze and enamel, 17mm (w) x 3mm (h), very fine condition; Air Medal with two Silver and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, bronze, measures 43mm (w) x 54 (h), reverse engraved S/SGT. JOHN S. WIETECHA AC, on original ribbon with two silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster devices with brooch pinback, light wear, very fine condition; Good Conduct Medal, bronze, measures 32mm, on original ribbon with brooch pinback, light wear, light wear to obverse, very fine condition; American Campaign Medal, bronze, measures 31mm, on original ribbon with brooch pinback, light wear on obverse, medium wear on reverse, near very fine condition; Asiatic Pacific Campaign with one Silver Star, bronze, measures 32mm, on original ribbon with one silver star device, wear to obverse, loss of gilt, near very fine condition; World War II Victory Medal, bronze, measures 36mm, on original ribbon with brooch pinback, dark patina, wear to obverse, reverse presents stains, fine condition; Army Air Force Technician Badge with AP MECHANIC bar, sterling silver, measures 33mm (w) x 45mm (h- inclusive of AP MECHANIC bar), reverse bears brooch pinback and is stamped STERLING, reverse of bar embossed STERLING, light wear, dark patina on bar, very fine condition; Army Air Force Aircrew Wings, silver, measures 81mm (w) x 21mm (h), reverse has indecipherable stamp, missing pin, wear to shoulders of wings on obverse, fine condition; Air Force Association Pin, bronze with enamels, measures 13mm (w) x 13mm (h), reverse embossed with partially indecipherable makers mark, BOCH N.Y, screw back included, very fine condition; Distinguished Unit Ribbon Bar, bronze gilt frame, measures 35mm (w) x 15mm (h), reverse bears brooch pinback, very fine condition; Ribbon bar, Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, measures 116mm (w) x 10mm (h), reverse bears long brooch pinback, ribbons covered in protective coating that is stained and worn, fine condition; 13th Air Force Badge, blue, white, yellow and red embroidery, measures 67mm, lightly worn, very fine condition; Staff Sergeant Cheveron, blue and grey polyester blend, 81mm (w) x 118mm (h), very fine condition; U.S and Airforce Lapel pins, brass, measures 21mm, reverse of each has two vertical pins, slightly bend, U.S pin reverse reinforced, light wear, fine condition.

Accompanied by one full photograph of Wietecha, Meritorious Service Certificate, “Flexible Gunner” Course Diploma dated November 11, 1944, Fourth Air Force “Prescribed Fourth Air Force B-24” Certificate dated May 3, 1945, Photograph of crew with partial identification, Aerial Gunner Certificate to Mitchell Wietecha dated September 1, 1942, Temporary Sgt Appointment Certificate to Mitchell Wietecha dated September 1, 1942, research pertaining to Wietecha’s service.

Footnote: Born in New Jersey, in 1924, John Wietecha completed eight years of grammar school and two years of high school prior to enlisting. He enlisted for the Second World War on June 23, 1942 at Fort Dix New Jersey. His occupation was classified as 788, he therefore worked as a semi-skilled labourer. Wietecha attended the Aerial Gunner School Tyndall in Florida and Harlington Texas, and received his Flexible Gunner diploma on November 11, 1944. On May 3, 1945, he completed his “prescribed Fourth Air Force B-24” training. He departed for the Pacific on April 5, 1943 as a ground crew member of the “Sassy Sal” part of the 370th Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Group, 13th Air Force. He joined the flight crew, and saw action in the ball turret in Guadalcanal in 1943. The 307 Flight Test Squadron was created as a heavy bombardment group in January of 1942. By November of the same year, it was reassigned to the 7th Air Force in Hawaii, performing search and rescues as well as anti-submarine patrols until January 1943, when the unit transitioned to long-range B-24 liberator heavy bombers. He returned to the United States on March 30th, 1944. On June 5, 1945, he went back to the Pacific.

Throughout the course of his service, S/Sgt Wietecha participated in numerous campaigns and battles, including Bismarck Archipelago, Central Pacific, Eastern Mandates, North Solomons, Western Pacific and Air Combat Borneo. He returned to the states on October 18, 1945. He was honorably discharged from the 424th bomb squadron due to demobilization on October 26, 1945. In his later years, he became a teacher and moved to Tampa, Florida. John Wietecha died on August 31, 1994.

Mitchell Wietecha, John’s brother, was also in the Air Force. He was listed as killed and last seen on August 25, 1943.