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name
JOHNSTON, James Francis - Date of
birth
11 August 1925 -
Age
19 -
Place of birth
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan -
Hometown
Highland Park, Wayne County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36883526 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
96th Bombardment Squadron,
2nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
unknown
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 October 1944 - Place of
death
Blechhammer, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 5 | 57 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John E. Johnston (father)
Anna (McDonald) Johnston (mother)
Mary Johnston (sister)
Florence Johnston (sister)
Helen Johnston (sister)
Edward Johnston (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6379 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Blechhammer, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the synthetic oil refinery
MACR: 9149
More information
S/Sgt James F. Johnston enlisted in October 1943 and was overseas for only two months when he was killed.The airplane collided with airplane 42-107006 over the target. It broke in half. Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of the military facilities of Heydebreck.
His brother Edward served in Italy.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Kathy McDermott, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The Detroit News - 2 June 1945