On August 1, 1943 │ Ploesti, Romania Raid │ MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT │ 93rdBG │ Major John "Jack" Jerstad was killed in action. Maj. John Jerstad finished far more than his required 25 bombing missions in a B-24 “Jerk’s Natural”; “Jerk” was a reference to his own name, Jack Jerstad, and “Natural” referred to the fact the plane’s serial numbers added to 7 and 11, a “natural” in dice games. Then signed on as operations officer for the 93rdBG to help plan and fly one of the most dangerous and contr