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Personal info

Full name
ROMKEMA, John Roger
Date of birth
19 August 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Sheldon, O'Brien County, Iowa
Hometown
Edgerton, Pipestone County, Minnesota

Military service

Service number
O-930115
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
571st Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
14 March 1945
Place of death
Wulften am Harz, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
C 1 22

Immediate family

Members
Ruurd J. Romkema (father)
Leentje (DeBruyn) Romkema (mother)
Martha Romkema (sister)
Nellie C. Romkema (sister)
Arlene E. Romkema (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
43-37831
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Lady Velma
Destination: Hannover, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 13024

More information

2nd Lt John R. Romkema's parents were immigrants from The Netherlands.

He received his wings at Fort Sumner in New Mexico in August 1944.

The airplane collided in midair with another B-17 (42-102972).

Nine crew members were killed, and one was taken prisoner.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Charlene Prins (niece), www.390th.org, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census / Family Trees, Gold Star Record World War Two of Christian Reformed Young Men - 2nd Lt John R. Romkema, www.newspapers.com - The Alton Democrat, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Gold Star Record World War Two of Christian Reformed Young Men - 2nd Lt John R. Romkema