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name
JOHNSON, Thorston Julius - Date of
birth
5 December 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California -
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-2075216 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
544th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 April 1945 - Place of
death
Leipzig, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 9 | 46 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Sydney Johnson (father)
Ida Johnson (mother)
Nils B. Johnson (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38801 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Ruth
Destination: Leipzig, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the rail traffic center
MACR: 13851
More information
2nd Lt Thorston J. Johnson graduated from Manual Arts High School in 1942.The airplane collided with B-17 #43-39164 just after they left the target area.
The tail was destroyed, and it had a hole in the right trailing edge of the wing. The pilot held control for a minute and then went into a steep dive.
Seven crew members were killed, and one was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.384thbombgroup.com, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Jac Engels, Manual Arts High School 1942