Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
RICHARDSON, John Albert
Date of birth
15 January 1914
Age
29
Place of birth
Madras, Jefferson County, Oregon
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
19098502
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Left Waist Gunner
Unit
336th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
13 June 1943
Place of death
West of Kiel, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Samuel V. Richardson (father)
Alma B. (Lee) Richardson (mother)
Bertha M. Richardson (sister)
Lloyd K. Richardson (brother)
Alvin Richardson (brother)
Alma Richardson (sister)
Norma M. Richardson (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-3286
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Sweet Seventeen
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boats yards
MACR: 616

More information

S/Sgt John A. Richardson as a mechanic before he volunteered for the Army of the United States in Los Angeles, California, on 14 May 1942.

"B-17F, 42-3286, piloted by 1st Lt Austin V. Stone, was lost west of Kiel, Germany, on the way out from the target. 1st Lt Austin V. Stone was flying #3 of the high element of the composite group but was never reported as having been seen leaving the formation. On this mission, a great deal of enemy opposition was encountered, ten aircraft being lost in all from this group. It is understandable that the crews returned unable to give any information concerning this missing aircraft."
- Statement from David E. Olsson, Capt, Air Corps, Asst. Operations Officer.

The entire crew was killed.

S/Sgt Richardson is remembered at Salem Pioneer Cemetery in Salem, Marion County, Oregon, on the marker of his father, Samuel Richardson.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Roark-Justice Family Tree / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men

Photo source: FOHF, Arie-Jan van Hees, www.findagrave.com - Patti C.