Genealogy Record For
John Stickell

John Harlan Stickell (07/31/1914-12/19/1943)
  • Spouse: None
  • Children: None
  • Parents
    1. Father: Harley Charles Stickell (11/01/1885-07/01/1972)
    2. Mother: Marie Unknown? (Stickell) (16 Dec 1897 - Oct 1982)
John's Personal Information
Born in Gilson, Illinois (IL), USA on Friday, July 31, 1914
Education: He attended Bradley Polytechnic Institute for two years before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Military Service: Before America's entry into World War II, he served withe Path Finding Force in England and received both the British Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Order for his outstanding service in heavy bomber missions over Germany.

During his US combat service, Lt. Stickell conducted search and reconnaissance missions during the Gilberts-Marshalls campaign. His skill and ability contributed to the destruction of three enemy planes, the sinking of an enemy boat and possibly of a cargo vessel. For the two actions in which these events occurred, Lt. Stickell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal
Died in Mariana Islands, Southeast of Japan on Sunday, December 19, 1943 (Age 29)
Cemetery: Gilson Cemetery in Gilson, Knox Co., Illinois (IL), USA
Plot: Next to his parents
Cause of Death: Lt. Stickell volunteered for a hazardous, two-plane bombing strike on 13 December 1943 against an underground oil storage tank located on Jabor at Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Seriously wounded by antiaircraft fire during the tree-top level approach, Lt. Stickell ignored his wounds and singlemindedly pursued his mission. His plane scored a direct hit on the target; but upon commencing the return flight, he was forced to relinquish the control of the plane to his copilot. Preferring to risk his own life and suffer pain rather than risk the safety of his crew and plane, Lt. Stickell ordered his co-pilot to pass up the dangerously narrow airstrip at Tarawa and head for a safer field over 400 miles away. Lt. Stickell died of his wounds six days later. For his gallantry and selfless sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Comments: In 1945, the destroyer The USS Stickell (DD-888) was named in his honor.

His father was Harley Charles Stickell and his grandfather was Jacob Benton Stickell.  He has a ship named after him, an airfield in the pacific, and was decorated by the King of England while he served in the RCAF. 
Other Website Links: US Navy History and
Answers.COM and
The USS Stickell - Wikipedia and
Posting by Jeff Woosley
Source: US Navy History and Jeff Woolsey and
Wikipedia Entry for John H Stickel and
Find a Grave entry for Lieut John Harlan Stickell
Submitted by Mark Stephen Stickels on November 20, 2006

Search this website:
The Stickel(s) Website | The Mark Stickels Family Website
Comments to Mark Stickels Return to Home Page
Last Modified on: January 7, 2013
Record Created:   January 16, 2007

URL: http://www.Stickels.org/directory/Stickell-JohnH.html