Early Life

John Matt Perritt was born on October 1, 1920 in Arcadia, Bienville Parish, Louisiana. His parents, John Clayton and Amanda (Harvey) Perritt would raise 7 children (5 boys and 2 girls). The Perritt’s owned their own home and Clayton worked as a farmer to support the family. As the kids got older, two of John’s older brothers were also farming and living at home. The Perritt family was struck with hard times. When John was 11, his eldest sister died. Not long after, his father died suddenly from what is thought to be food poisoning (ptomaine). After his father’s death, his older brother, a farmer too, took over as head of household. John continued school through high school.

In April 1937, John was a part of 4-H Club and showed in the “Baby Beef” category. The 4-H club members of Bienville Parish showed their calves locally before showing their calves in the state competition held at Louisiana State University. John and his baby beef calf ranked 18th in the state in the medium weight division among 4-H members from 12 different parishes.

After graduating Arcadia High School in 1938 John attended college at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech). In college he pledged with the Alpha Lambda Tau Fraternity. On April 1, 1942, The Shreveport Journal published an article about aviation cadets enlisting at Barksdale Field. John’s name was listed as “furloughed”. Furloughs were granted under a new system designed to keep enlisted men awaiting cadet appointments from being sent to foreign service before a vacancy occurred.

Military Life

John graduated from flight school and earned his pilot wings. He was soon assigned to the 323rd Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, Heavy, flying the B-17 aircraft. The 323rd Bomber Squadron was involved in the European Theatre Operations. On September 27, 1943 he was on the crew of the B-17F #42-29750 "Rebel's Revenge" during a mission to bomb the U-boat yards at Emden, Germany. The Missing Air Crew Report (MARC) reported at approximately 1010 hours 24,000 feet, just after leaving the target, A/C #42-29750 was seen with an engine on fire. The aircraft left formation and was seen to drop its bombs. Rebel’s Revenge was last seen heading down in a dive in the North Sea off Langeoog Island on the coast of Germany. One chute (parachute) was seen. 1LT John Perritt died as a result of the crash along with seven other crewman. Two crewman, 2nd/Lt. Richard F. Hull (Bombardier) and T/Sgt. Edward J. Fetty Jr (Radio Operator) survived the crash and were captured as German POWs.

1LT John Perritt was recovered along with 2nd LT Fank Rolfe. 1st LT John Perritt was laid to rest at Ardennes American Cemetery, Belgium, Plot B, Row 19, Grave 18. 1st LT Perritt was awarded the Purple Heart Medal posthumously. Louisiana Tech recognized each of the former students lost during WWII during the college’s semi-centennial observance on Nov 17th, 1945. 1st LT Perritt was one of the students recognized.

B-17 #42-29750 "Rebel's Revenge" Crew

1st/Lt. John M. Perritt Pilot KIA

2nd/Lt. Eugene V. Hill Co Pilot MIA/KIA

2nd/Lt. Frank O. Rolfe Navigator KIA

2nd/Lt. Richard F. Hull Bombardier POW

S/Sgt. William J. Golden Engineer MIA/KIA

T/Sgt. Edward J. Fetty Jr Radio Operator POW

S/Sgt. Harry L. Stokes Asst. Engineer MIA/KIA

S/Sgt. James W. Sample Asst. Radio Op. MIA/KIA

S/Sgt. Raymond H. Sell Gunner MIA/KIA

S/Sgt. Charles H. Oliver Gunner MIA/KIA

References:

https://www.ancestry.com/

https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=49143

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56360253/john-m-perritt

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/john-m-perritt

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/aircraft/42-29750

http://www.91stbombgroup.com/

323rd Dailies from 1942 - 91st Bomb Group (H)

https://www.fold3.com/image/32444246/the-boeing-b-17-flying-fortress-rebels-revenge-ac-no-750-attached-to-the-323rd-bomb-squadron-91st-bo?terms=29750,42

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen on Fold3 and Together We Serve. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

If you noticed anything missing in this profile or anything incorrect, please contact tricia.la@storiesbehindthestars.org.

SBTS\Louisiana\Beauregard

John M Perritt