Greenvillian Greenville Flyer John Whittle Massey Jr

While most Greenville Flyers came from afar, John Whittle Massey Jr was a local Greenvillian.  Born to John Whittle and Mary Jane (Moore) Massey on 30 Mar 1923.  In high school, Massey was a standout football player for the Greenville Hornets.

Massey began his journey to become a pilot at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, AL, for pre-flight training.  He was then assigned to primary flying training at Darr-Aero Tech at Albany Army Airfield, GA.  Darr-Aero Tech was one of many contract flying schools used by the Army during the war.  Being a Greenville Flyer, of course, his next assignment was basic flying training at Greenville.  Upon completion of basic flying training, he was assigned to advanced single-engine flying training at Napier Field, Dothan, AL.  Massey earned his wings and commission on 25 Mar 1943, with his parents in attendance.

The locations which he completed fighter transition and gunnery training and operational training are unknown at this time.

Massey Training Here Sun, Dec 20, 1942 – Page 11 · The Delta Democrat-Times (Greenville, Mississippi) · Newspapers.com

Then ready for combat, Massey was assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group.  At the time, the 4th Fighter Squadron was flying the Supermarine Spitfire (the 4th FS transitioned to the P-51 Mustang in spring of 1944).

On 19 Dec 1943, "Clatter Yellow" flight departed Calvi, Corsica, f0r a patrol mission.  The flight was comprised of six Spitfire aircraft, including Massey's Spitfire LZ820.  Weather at the time was overcast, which the flight was flying above longer than planned.  Due to their inability to orientate themselves, the flight was running dangerously low on fuel.  Massey and two wingmen, 1st Lt Leonard V. Helton and 2nd Lt Jerome Ennis, opted to make forced landings since they were unable to locate a suitable airfield prior to running out of gas.  

Chin Up Lieut Massey Writes Parents From Nazi Prison Camp Sun, May 7, 1944 – Page 5 · The Delta Democrat-Times (Greenville, Mississippi) · Newspapers.com

With fuel nearly depleted, the three pilots let down near Borgotaro, Italy (formally known as Borgo Val di Taro).  The area was occupied by the enemy, resulting in all three being captured and becoming German prisoners of war.

Massey was known to have been held in Stalag Luft I, near Barth, Germany.  Other notable prisoners at this camp include: Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, Hubert "Hub" Zemke, and Robert A. "Bob" Hoover.  

Massey, along with many other POW's, were liberated from from the camp near the Baltic Sea on 30 Apr 1945 by advancing Russian troops.

Lt J W Massey Jr Liberated in Reich Tue, May 22, 1945 – Page 1 · The Delta Democrat-Times (Greenville, Mississippi) · Newspapers.com

After returning to the states, Massey wed Miss Anne Marie Leverette in 1952 and so began their family, raising four children.  He and Anne ran the Main Street Package Store (also known as Main Street Liquors) in Greenville, MS, for many years.  John also spent time working in the insurance industry.  At the age of 80 years old, John Whittle Massey Jr. passed away in 2004.