John Appleby was born in Flushing, NY on August 4, 1944. He enlisted in the United States Army on SEptember 29, 1942 at Camp Upton, New York. DUring his enlistment period, Appleby was assigned to Army Air Forces field sin Nashville, Tennessee, Maxwell, Alabama, and Clarksdale, Mississippi. As a Second Lieutenant, he was assignment to the 438th Fighter Squadron, 53rd Fighter Group; and Air Force organization for training replacement pilots. Stationed in at Page Field, Fort Meyers, Flordia, Appleby died on active duty on October 31, 1943; he was 21 years of age. While in service he was decorated and warded the WWII Victory Medal and the WWII Service Lapel Button.