Conrad, Jr., John E.John E. Conrad Jr, 91, of Appleton, passed away Dec. 31, 2016. He was born on July 31st, 1925, to John Sr. and Marvel Conrad from Freedom, WI. On May 13th, 1947, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Brown. He grew up in Freedom, WI where he enjoyed boxing at the high school and for a brief time in the air force. John was a B-24 gunner during WW2 in the US Air Force. Training at Maxwell Field AFB Alabama. Achieving the rank of Sergeant he served with the 448th Bombardment Group, Heavy and received a "Certificate of Valor". The 448th Bombardment Group was an Eighth Air Force B-24 Liberator unit stationed in England. Assigned to RAF Seething in late 1943, the group flew its last combat mission on the 25th of April 1945, attacking a marshaling yard at Salzburg, Austria. The 448th flew B-24 Liberators as part of the Eighth Air Force's strategic bombing campaign. The group entered combat on the 22nd December 1943 and until April 1945 served primarily as strategic bombardment organization, hitting such targets as aircraft factories in Gotha, ball-bearing plants in Berlin, an airfield in Hanau, U-boat facilities at Kiel, a chemical plant at Ludwigshafen, synthetic oil refineries at Politz, aircraft engine plants as Rostock, marshalling yards at Cologne, and a Buzz-bomb assembly plant at Fallersleben. The group took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 February 1944.In addition to strategic operations, flew interdictory and support missions. Bombed V-weapon sites, airfields, and transportation facilities prior to the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 and on D-day attacked coastal defenses and choke points. Struck enemy positions to assist the Allied offensive at Caen and the breakthrough at Saint-Lo in July. Dropped supplies to airborne troops near Nijmegen during t5he airborne attack on the Netherlands in September. Bombed transportation and communications centers in the combat zone during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-January 1945. Dropped supplies to troops at Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945. The 448th returned home to the US in July 1945 and John was discharged on November 8th, 1945. After the war he had a couple of short lived jobs but eventually settled down and became a machinist for Giddings & Lewis Co. in Kaukauna retiring early due to a shutdown of the Kaukauna business location. John and Betty moved to Appleton where they joined St. Thomas More Catholic parish. He enjoyed working with anything mechanical and tending to his yard.He is survived by his son, Dave (Lynn) Conrad, daughter, Patricia (Peter) Graverson, son, Thomas (Mary Britten) Conrad, daughter, Sandy (Fritz) Gast and his loving grandchildren, Tonya Conrad, Melissa (Mike) Potter, Paige (Brian) Vandenbloomer, Laurie (Nate) Abbott, Scott (Christy) Wildenberg, Jennifer Hietpas, Ben Hietpas, Chad (Jennifer)Greiner. Great grand children include: Angela Potter, Zachary Potter, Savannah Potter, RJ Greiner, Robby Greiner, Olyvia Hietpas, Ellie Hietpas, Nora Hietpas, Joe Abbott, Ben Abbott, Ava Abbott, Jackson Wildenberg, and Cooper Wildenberg.John was preceded in death by his father John Sr., his mother Marvel and his loving wife Betty (Elizabeth) and daughter Sharon Wildenberg.The Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11a.m. Friday, January 6, 2017, at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, 1810 N. McDonald St., Appleton, with the Rev. James Lucas officiating. John's family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Following the Mass full military honors will be held. Interment will be held in High Memorial Park, Appleton.