During World War II, John Hockery became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 7 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He gained his final two victories on November 26, 1944, and was shot down in that action, captured, and held as a prisoner of war. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force. He flew combat for the second time in Korea, where he was credited with shooting down one enemy MiG for his eighth aerial victory.
Sponsored by:
John
Joseph
Hockery
POW (WWII)
January 23, 1922
–
May 1967
Born:
Independence
,
Missouri
Home:
Independence
,
Missouri
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
82d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
78th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Joseph Hockery (ASN: 0-666939), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 82d Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
82d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
78th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Joseph Hockery (ASN: 0-666939), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 82d Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
82d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
78th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Joseph Hockery (ASN: 0-666939), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 82d Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
82d Fighter SquadronRegiment:
78th Fighter GroupDivision:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
November 26, 1944 – May 1945
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 40977Captain (Air Corps) John Joseph Hockery (ASN: 0-666939), United States Army Air Forces, was shot down during aerial combat on 26 November 1944, and captured by German forces. He was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.