SittarichJohn - 668th POW

416th Bombardment Group (L)

S/Sgt. John Joseph ("Jack") Sittarich

Airplane Mechanic - Gunner, 37573540

Prisoner Of War

668th Bombardment Squadron (L)

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Born: 20-Sep-1924, Breckenridge, Wilkin County, MN

Entered Military Service: Date: 23-Apr-1943
NARA Enlistment Record: Enlisted Serial # 37573540

POW summary:
Fail to Return Date: 18-Mar-1945
POW Camp: Stalag 7A
Return Date: Before 30-Jun-1945
NARA WW II POW Data File Latest Report Date: 25-Oct-1945
NARA WW II POW Data File ID: 76244 / (PDF)

Died: 5-May-2013, St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, Wilkin County, MN

On-line Memorials:
National World War II Registry
Find-A-Grave

Obituary

John "Jack" Sittarich, 88

Posted: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 3:00 pm

John "Jack" Sittarich, 88, Fairmount, N.D., surrounded by his family, love and prayers, died Sunday, May 5, 2013 at St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, Minn.

The Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 10, 2013 at St. Anthony"s Catholic Church, Fairmount. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Fairmount.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 9, 2013 with a 7 p.m. prayer vigil at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, N.D. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Jack was born Sept. 20, 1924 at Breckenridge, the son of John and Clara (Faulkner) Sittarich. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1943. That same year, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in the European Theatre. He was a member of the 9th Air Force, 416th Bomb Group, 668th Squadron. His plane was shot down over Germany March 18, 1945, was captured and a POW until the end of the war. After his honorable discharge Jack returned to the Breckenridge area.

He married Mary Jane Schmit June 19, 1951 at St. Anthony"s Catholic Church, Fairmount. The couple operated a dairy farm near Fairmount where they raised their seven children. He continued farming until 1996.

Jack was a member of St. Anthony"s Catholic Church, American Legion, and enjoyed gardening and sharing his produce with family and friends. He particularly enjoyed his military reunions, which he participated in for many years. He enjoyed following his grandchildren in their activities and the companionship of his dog, Lady.

Jack is survived by his wife Josie, rural Fairmount; seven children: Steven Sittarich, Fairmount, Jean (Dan Baumann) Sittarich, Wahpeton, Sue (Curt) Berg, Wahpeton, Connie (Marty) Madsen, Wahpeton, Kevin (Debbie) Sittarich, Fairmount, Brian (Shelly) Sittarich, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Myron (Kimberly) Sittarich, Janesville, Wisc.; 14 grandchildren; five great-granddaughter princesses; his sister, Marlene Sittarich, Duluth, Minn.; his brother, Roman Sittarich, Rock Springs, Wyo.; his sister-in-law, Pat Sittarich, DePere, Wisc.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Sittarich; two sisters, Kathryn and Madeline; four brothers, Clifford, Anthony and Robert Sittarich and an infant brother.

Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

WahpetonDailyNews.com - John "Jack" Sittarich Obituary, The Daily News, Wahpeton, North Dakota, May 8, 2013 (PDF)

MACR 13152 Details

Notes:
A/C Last Sighted and was Lost as a result of Enemy Anti-Aircraft.

Description:
Four planes were presumed to be lost to flak when they failed to return to base. The planes went down in the vicinity of the PPF IP, northeast of the town of Bingen. Two planes went down in the vicinity of the target. ... No chutes were seen to emerge from any of the planes that were lost. The crews are all listed as MIA. ... #261 received direct hits in the left engine between the PPF I.P. and the target. It was last seen disintegrating and in flames, going down at a undetermined point. Lt J.P. Kenny and S/Sgt J.J. Sittarich were the crew.
(416th BG History 1945)

See also Mission # 239

See also:
Jack Sittarich Remembered Video
by Wayne Sayles, 2013

5-minute video of Jack Sittarich reading a letter he wrote to Jimmy Kenny's mother after the war.
Taped during the September, 2010 416th BG Reunion at Branson, MO by Wayne Sayles.

John J. (Jack) Sittarich - POW
42-minute interview detailing the events of Mission #239 to Worms, Germany on March 18, 1945
leading to the capture and imprisonment of Ssgt Sittarich and the death of Lt. Jimmy Kenny.
Taped during the September, 2009 416th BG Reunion at Branson, MO by Wayne Sayles.

John J. Sittarich Photo and Document Collection Page.