Honor Mission
SSgt. John A. Tarbert
US Army Air Force
WW II KIA
Multi-City, NY - 11/01 & 08/2024
***UPDATED 10/30/2024 - 16:30 hrs***
A modification has been made to the Primary
Stage of this mission and Second and Third
Stages have been added. Please see updates below.
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 4, Region 5
About the Mission:
The family of US Army Air Force Staff Sergeant John A. Tarbert has requested Patriot Guard Riders' participation in his military honors funeral services.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Air Force SSgt. John A. Tarbert, 24, of Port Deposit, Maryland, killed during World War II, was accounted for May 10, 2024.
In late 1944, Tarbert was assigned to the 703rd Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force in the European Theater. On Sept. 27, Tarbert, a waist gunner onboard the B-24J Liberator "Mairzy Doats", was killed in action when his plane was hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire over Bassenheim, Germany. None of the six surviving crewmembers reported seeing Tarbert successfully bail out of the crashing plane, which landed in a local hill called Karmelenberg near the towns of Ochtendung and Bassenheim, Germany. After the war, there was no record of the missing crewmembers being taken as POWs by German forces. The three crewmembers, including Tarbert, remained unaccounted for following the war.
In September of 2022, DPAA sent an investigation team to investigate a crash site outside Bassenheim believed to be that of Mairzy Doats. Remains recovered from the crash site were sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. To identify Tarbert’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. A full DPAA report is available for viewing online by clicking here
SSgt. Tarbert's obituary is available for viewing online by clicking here
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
UPDATED
11/01/2024 at 10:30 pm
Staging Location:
Albany International Airport
Million Air Terminal
16 Jetway Drive
Albany, NY 12211
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Bill Schaaf
518-542-0608
Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:
Updated 15, May 2024
The CDC has changed its COVID-19 protocol recommendations for 2024, updating them to reflect the changing severity and transmission of the virus. Please click here for the latest information and continue to practice common sense distancing protocols while in enclosed locations.
Special Information:
PGR will then participate in escort of the hearse from the airport to the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd, Glenville, NY.
Given the time late at night, please gauge your ability to safely operate your motorcycle in the dark. It is anticipated that we will be having Law Enforcement lead vehicles for the escort.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
yes
Second Staging Date and Staging Time:
UPDATED
11/08/2024 at 10:30am
Second Location:
Glenville Funeral Home
9 Glenridge Road
Glenville, NY 12302
Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Bill Schaaf
518-542-0608
Second Stage - Special Information:
Staging at the funeral home with a flag line for the arrival of the family. There will be an intimate family viewing followed by escort to Saratoga National Cemetery for interment with military honors at 2:00 pm.
Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?
yes
Third Staging Date and Staging Time:
UPDATED
11/08/2024 at 01:30pm
Third Location:
Saratoga National Cemetery
200 Duell Road
Schuylerville, NY 12871
Third Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Bill Schaaf
518-542-0608
Third Stage - Special Information:
Please stage quietly and in accordance with current guidelines.
Is there a Fourth Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
Ray Sestak
10/27; MER
