Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
PLATT, John Washington - Date of
birth
22 September 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Mooringsport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana -
Hometown
Mooringsport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
18209076 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
612th Bombardment Squadron,
401st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 May 1944 - Place of
death
Hohnboestel/Langligen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 12 | 44 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Albert S. Platt (father)
Ivory A. Platt (mother)
Sidney Platt (brother)
Nellie Platt (sister)
Lloyd Platt (brother)
Marie Platt (sister)
Howard L. Platt (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39943 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Lassie Come Home
MACR: 4587
Destination: Berlin, Germany
More information
S/Sgt John W. Platt was employed as a driver.He enlisted in the Air Corps on 3 November 1942 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
This was one of the Group's less successful missions. The 401st provided the Lead and High Boxes of the 94th Combat Wing, and cloud cover over Berlin made bombing by PFF (radar) necessary. Unfortunately, when the lead aircraft opened its bomb bay doors over the IP (Initial Point), a malfunction of its electrical system caused its bombs to be released. Seeing the leader's bombs fall, the other aircraft in the wing formation dropped their bombs as well. Then, boxed in between wings ahead and behind them, the 94th Combat Wing was forced to fly over the target with empty bomb bays.
Intense flak over the target resulted in battle damage to two-thirds of the 1st Air Division bombers. The 401st lost one aircraft and crew, piloted by Lt. Browning O. Grimmet (42-39943), which was hit by flak.
S/Sgt John W. Platt is remembered at the Mount Zion Cemetery in Mooringsport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, with a memorial marker.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Jac Engels, www.findagrave.com