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Personal info

Full name
JOHNSTON, James
Date of birth
1918
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Pennsylvania
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
O-745816
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
495th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
28 May 1944
Place of death
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, West edge of Paris, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Plot Row Grave
A 35 27

Immediate family

Members
James Johnston (father)
Caroline Johnston (mother)
Margaret L. Johnston (sister)
Caire Johnston (sister)
Mary E. Johnston (sister)
Raymond Johnston (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-107691
Data
Type: B-26C-45-MO
Destination: Paris, France
Mission: Railroad Bridge
MACR: 5141

More information

Statement from 2nd Lt Robert C. Branson:
"Lt Shewell’s plane was hit in the left wing during the bomb run. The bomb bay doors were open. The aircraft pulled out of formation and went into a vertical dive, dropping 4,000 feet and went into a spin to the left, then straightened out. It seemed as though the tail came off, dropped into another spin and disappeared from view. No chutes were seen."

1st Lt James Johnston was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery Solers, France.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Andy, www.newspapers.com - The Philadelphia Inquirer