The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘LUCKY’ VETERAN RECEIVES HONOR
Former flight engineer, POW ‘a survivor,’ his family says
He was “lucky” to get out alive.
Lucky to survive his plane being shot down, lucky the parachute “full of holes” opened and lucky enough to have known a little bit of the German language to keep his captors uncertain of his identity.
John E. Esborn could be luck personified.
He’s also a fighter and a hero, according Chaplain Charles Pahlman of Crossroads Hospice, who, along with family and friends, honored the 98-year-old Wickliffe resident and United States Army Air Forces veteran Dec. 7 with a Gift of Honor recognition ceremony.
“For your service to your country during World War II, and for being a strong example of patriotism, we gather here today to say thank you,” Pahlman said, surrounded by about a
“For your service to your country during World War II, and for being a strong example of patriotism, we gather here today to say thank you.” — Chaplain Charles Pahlman to John E. Esborn
dozen people invited to Esborn’s residence.
“Today, I think the definition of the word ‘hero’ has changed. Some think it’s a basketball player who can dunk a ball, others think it’s someone like a famous singer who can hit a note higher than other people; we think it’s the servicemen and servicewomen who’ve fought to defend our freedoms, people like John.”
Humbly, Esborn extended his hands to, in turn, thank his loved ones, caretakers and neighbors who were regaled with stories of sacrifice, daring, pain, perseverance and survival.
“I got my notice from Uncle Sam and I went in Nov. 13, 1942,” Esborn said. “I was just married six days before. That’s no way to start a marriage.”
Serving as a flight engineer, in addition to other capacities like waist gunner for the predecessor of the U. S. Air Force, Esborn was soon missing, having no contact with his family for over a year after his plane was shot down in 1944.
“To this day, I can’t believe the ripcord worked and my chute opened because it was nearly destroyed when we were hit just south of Vienna,” he said. “When I landed, it sounded like a shotgun went off, loud as the bones in my feet and legs broke.”
Separated from his comrades who also escaped the destroyed aircraft, Esborn was quickly discovered by, as he described it, “two German teenagers in a motorcycle with a sidecar,” who quickly took him to their commanding officer while informally interrogating him, as he was wearing no formal uniform.
Esborn later eluded execution by firing squad on two separate occasions, he said, by a dud cartridge in one of the weapons and by the scant German he spoke.
“I was born and raised, mostly, in Sweden before coming to the United States and the Cleveland area,” he added. “I married a German girl, so I knew enough to answer some of their questions, and they hesitated when they heard me. They thought I could give them information.
“Strange as it sounds, I felt a calm. Right then, I knew I’d done the right thing, enlisting to serve, and was ready, ready for anything. I knew my faith would carry me through. I couldn’t tell you if it did, maybe I have been lucky, but I’m here, all these years later. Maybe somebody was watching over me.”
His life spared and his future uncertain, Esborn became a POW for just under a year. Reports of his unknown
whereabouts circulated stateside in several news publications.
Though a captive, he received “good” care from German medical personnel. His injuries slowly healing, Esborn was eventually liberated, as “peace was reached,” ending WWII. Esborn would receive the Purple Heart and other accolades after his return to the United States.
Later, Esborn would work for Lubrizol Corp. as an engineer and raise a family. He’s lived in Wickliffe for 30-plus years.
His daughter-in-law, Terri, finds her “dad’s” memory amazing.
“It’s better than mine and a lot of other people,” she said.
“He’s just an awesome person. He’s the greatest storyteller, too, because he’s been through so much in his life. It feels so special to honor him and all those who fought and fight for our way of life.”