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Submit- Full
name
LAVIN, James Robert "Bob" - Date of
birth
11 February 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
St. Croix, Perry County, Indiana -
Hometown
St. Croix, Perry County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-734110 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
547th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
13 April 1944 - Place of
death
In the field next to the farm at Rue de la Miraine 47
Fouleng, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| P | 22 | 7 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James A. Lavin (father)
Arlie M. (Goldman) Lavin (mother)
Mary R. Lavin (sister)
Marcus E. Lavin (brother)
Helen C. Lavin (sister)
Vincent L. Lavin (brother)
Joseph M. Lavin (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97274 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Royal Flush
Destination: Schweinfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the ball-bearing factories
MACR: 3873
More information
1st Lt James R. Lavin enlisted at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 29 January 1942.The aircraft was hit by flak in #1 and #2 engines on the return flight. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft blew up in midair.
Three crew members were taken prisoner, and three men evaded capture. Six men were killed. They were initially buried in a common grave at the community cemetery of Chièvres, Belgium, on 15 April 1944.
A memorial plaque can be found at the crash site.
Source of information: André Koch, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR 3873 www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Records, www.ancestry.com, - Ryanne Beard Family Tree, www.384thbombgroup.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.fold3.com, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot 42-K Minter California, www.hangarflying.eu