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name
AKIN, John Harrison - Date of
birth
19 January 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Purcell, McClain County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38394444 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Nose Gunner -
Unit
567th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
9 May 1944 - Place of
death
English Channel
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
John W. Akin (father)
Amanda M. (Harmon) Akin (mother)
Juanita (Davidson) Akin (sister)
Mary F. Akin (sister)
Betty L. (Jackson) Akin (wife)
John H. Akin, jr (son)
Richard W. Akin (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-29451 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Helfer College II
Destination: Florennes-Juzaine, Belgium
Mission: Operational
MACR: 4933
More information
Soon after leaving the English coast en route to target, it appears this aircraft was hit by friendly fire when a gunner from another A/C in formation test fired his guns. The A/C caught fire and the pilots could not maintain, control going into a steep dive and spin. A few of the crew were able to bail out before the A/C hit the water of the English Channel. Only two were picked up by Air Sea Rescue, and the rest were listed as MIA until they were declared dead a year later.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten,Terry Hirsch, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, www.389thbg.net, 1930 US Census, Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Norman High School, 1940 Yearbook