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name
BROWN, John E Jr - Date of
birth
12 October 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Sheperdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Sheperdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35704385 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
561st Bombardment Squadron,
388th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 February 1945 - Place of
death
Hamm, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 17 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John E. Brown (father)
Sarah C. Brown (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6622 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Our Love
Destination: Hamm, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 12440
More information
The airplane was hit by flak over the target. The oxygen system and the flares in the cockpit caught on fire and the #2 and #3 engines were on fire. The bail-out order was given and the radio operator and tail gunner bailed out over Hamm. The airplane dove from 22,000 to 14,000 feet. From then on the pilot had control of the airplane and brought it back to base.The two men who bailed out didn't survive.
He was initially buried in a temporary grave at Margraten on 19 May 1945. After being disinterred and after the cemetery was given a permanent status, he was given his final resting place on 20 December 1948.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.388bg.org, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Dick Henggeler (388th Bomb Group Historian)