father: Aaron (dec'd), mother Leah (or Ada)

ed.  Lathrop Trades, Kansas City

moved to New Orleans c. 1928

m. Katharine [san Salvador]; 1 daughter [Kathleen Mary] b. 1940

prev. a charter pilot for Crescent City Airways, New Orleans

prev. exp. 1,800 hrs

Address in 1941: 1140 Toledano St, New Orleans, Louisiana

Postings: Training Pool Only

d. 29 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service), in Lysander T1675. He flew too far into bad weather and hit a hillside at New Luce, nr. Castle Kennedy, Scotland. He was also carrying a passenger (against regulations, as he was still a trainee), LAC Costine from the RAF.

He was assessed as being to blame for the accident.

Buried Glebe Cemetery, Stranraer:

"2nd Officer Marcus was of a cheerful and engaging disposition and had many friends during his comparatively short period of service with ATA."

His daughter Kathleen was born 11 months before Jack's death. His wife Katharine "made no spontaneous appeal for financial assistance", so the ATA asked the Red Cross to see if she needed any.

As it turned out, she did; Jack's death had left her living with her mother-in-law (who was in poor health) and unable to work because of the baby, on the $50 a month Social Security (Survivor's Insurance), of which she gave her mother-in-law $25.

The ATA decided to award her the full £2,000 ($8,000) insurance money, with half of it being invested in long-term US War Bonds for the benefit of the baby.

Katharine wrote to the ATA on 4 Jul 1942, "I am happy to inform you that I am in complete accord with your plan and most grateful for your generosity."

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):