Missing information?

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

Submit

Personal info

Full name
HARRIS, John Henry
Date of birth
6 August 1920
Age
23
Place of birth
Roanoke, Durham County, North Carolina
Hometown
Durham County, North Carolina

Military service

Service number
O-688974
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
732nd Bombardment Squadron,
453rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 April 1944
Place of death
Near Wistedt, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing
* This soldier has been accounted for. A rosette has been placed next to his name.

Immediate family

Members
Heber C. Harris (father)
S. Jane (Speight) Harris (mother)
Emma Harris (sister)
Helen Harris (sister)
Charlie Harris (brother)
Herman Harris (brother)
Nina Harris (sister)
Myra Harris (sister)
Clara H. Harris (sister)
Marvin Harris (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-52185
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Little Joe
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the MIAG-Petritor aviation industry
MACR: 3926

More information

2nd Lt John H. Harris was a cigarette machine operator for the American Tobacco Company.

He enlisted in August1942, was commissioned in August 1943 and was sent overseas in February 1944.

The airplane was shot down by enemy fighters. The entire crew of ten was killed.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that 2nd Lt John H. Harris was accounted for on 20 June 2024. Additional information will follow (information added August 2024).

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bombardier Class Book 43-11, Big Spring Flying School Texas, Kathy C. Kaminski, niece of Francis E. Callahan, The Herald-Sun - 27 November 1945