2nd Lt. David Ward St. Jean was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 20, 1922, to Oscar E. St. Jean and Grace Ward-St. Jean and had a sister. His family called him Ward. He graduated from Garfield School and Proviso Township High School in 1940. He attended the University of Chicago and worked at the Liberty Mutual Insurance in Chicago.
David registered with Selective Service on June 2, 1942, and named his father as his contact person. When he was inducted into the Army is not known, but he may have enlisted. Since he had scored higher than 110 on the Army General Classification test, he was allowed to volunteer for pilot training. In February 1943, and selected to attend flight school. It is known that he received training at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in August 1943, as an aviation cadet. He then was sent to school at the University of Tennessee. Next, in January 1944, he was at the Army Air Force Flying School, Walnut Ridge Field, Arkansas, for his second phase of training. During this time, he received approximately 70 hours of flight time and instruction in meteorology, navigation, radio code, and aircraft identification. He then trained at Stuttgart Field, Arkansas, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant on June 1, 1944. He was assigned to the 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, 5th Air Force, which flew C-47s and was based in Australia. It appears the unit moved to the Philippines shortly after he arrived.
The 317th dropped supplies to forces on Leyte, Mindoro, and also supplied guerrillas on Mindanao, Cebu, and Panay. On February 3rd and 4th, 1945, 317th took part in two airborne operations and dropped paratroopers south of Manila to seize highway routes to the city. It also dropped members of the 502d Paratroop Regiment on Corregidor on the 16th and 17th which opened Manila Bay to US shipping. In addition the 317th made low altitude drops in small drop zones in heavily Japanese defended areas. The unit picked up the nickname the Jungle Skippers. The air group moved to Clark Field, Luzon, on March 17, 1945.
On April 27, 1945, his squadron was on a mission, most likely dropping supplies to troops, when his plane – which was at 1500 feet, was rammed by a Japanese Kamikaze resulting in the tail of his plane being cut off. His plane went down killing David and his crew; Flight Officer Frank J. McDonough Jr. and Cpl. Robert J. Koran. If there were other crew members, their names are not known at this time. The next day, April 28, 1945, David was buried in Plot 1, Row 4, Grave 426. His crew members were buried next to him at the United States Armed Forces Cemetery #2, Manila, Luzon. A telegram and letter were sent to his family.
MR OSCAR ST JEAN
1809 SOUTH 12TH AVENUE
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON SECOND LIEUTENANT DAVID W ST JEAN HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE TWENTY SEVEN APRIL IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
The telegram was followed by a letter.
Mr. Oscar E. St. Jean
1809 South 12th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mr. St. Jean:
This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Second Lieutenant David W. St. Jean, O, 831, 010, Air Corps, has been reported missing in action since 27 April 1945 over the Southwest Pacific Area.
I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive some information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crews Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.
The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case in closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which contains in force pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of the personnel being carried in a missing status.
Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
His parents received a telegram from the War Department on May 16, 1945, after the War Department received confirmation of David’s death.
MR OSCAR E ST JEAN
1809 SOUTH 12TH AVENUE
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR SON SECOND LIEUTENANT DAVID W. ST JEAN WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION TWENTY SEVEN APRIL IN SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO TTHE ADJUTANT GENERAL
The content of the letter that followed in not known.
In a letter, dated September 30, 1946, Oscar St. Jean was informed of the location of the cemetery where David was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. He was also told that another letter would arrive providing him with additional information about David’s final burial. The next letter arrived on November 14, 1947, informing his father on his options for David’s final burial. He was asked to complete an enclosed form and return it to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC. The form was returned to the OQMG on November 25, 1947, indicating that his father wanted David buried in a American Military Cemetery overseas.
2nd Lt. David W. St. Jean was buried in the new American Military Cemetery, outside of Manila, on July 21, 1949, in Plot F, Row 10, Grave 103. His father was sent the flag that covered his casket with a letter.
2nd Lt David W. St. Jean, ASN O 831 010
Plot F, Row 10, Grave 103
Headstone: Cross
Ft. McKinley U. S. Military Cemetery
(Manila, Philippine Islands)
Mr. Oscar E. St. Jean
1809 South 12th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mr. St. Jean:
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved one have been permanently interred, as the recorded above, side by side with comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military funeral services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
After the Department of the Army has completed all final interments, the cemetery will be transferred, as authorized by the Congress, to the care and supervision of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission will have the responsibility for permanent construction and beautification of the cemetery, including erection of the permanent headstone. The headstone will be inscribe with the name exactly recorded above, the rank or rating where appropriate, organization, State, and date of death. Any inquiries relative to the type of headstone or the spelling of the name to be inscribed thereon, should be addressed to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington D. C. Your letter should include the full name, rank, serial number, grave location, and name of cemetery.
While interments are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. You may rest assured that the final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the grave-site will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
W. H. MIDDLESWART
Major General
Acting The Quartermaster General
