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Personal info

Full name
GORDON, John Mc Gowan Jr
Date of birth
20 October 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
Hometown
Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
13132642
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner
Unit
407th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
11 September 1944
Place of death
Lüttchendorf, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
A 17 23

Immediate family

Members
John M. Gordon (father)
Mae G. Gordon (mother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97326
Data
Nickname: Little Lamsey Divey
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 8890

More information

John Gordon graduated from Haverford Township High School and was employed by Westminster College.

He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 20 November 1942.

The primary target of the mission was the oil refinery of Merseburg, but it is possible that this airplane attacked a secondary target, which was the city of Löbejün.

The formation was attacked by several enemy fighter aircraft. The exact facts of the crash are not known due to the confusion.

He was initially buried at Lüttchendorf Cemetery, Germany.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, WWIIMemorial, Fold3, 8thafhs.com, www.ancestry.com - Philadelphia WWII Veterans Compensation Apllication

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Haverford Township High School yearbook 1942