Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
SHEHAN, Ernest John
Date of birth
15 May 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Nodaway, Adams County, Iowa
Hometown
Black Hawk County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
37192608
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner
Unit
559th Bombardment Squadron,
387th Bombardment Group, Medium
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
30 November 1944
Place of death
Near Zweibrücken, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Plot Row Grave
A 6 19

Immediate family

Members
Ernest J. Shehan (father)
Ethel B. (Martin) Shehan (mother)
Essica Shehan (half sister)
Edna J. Shehan (half sister)
Edgar Shehan (half brother)
Maymie A. Shehan (sister)
Robert M. Shehan (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
41-31662
Data
Type: B-26B
Nickname: Old Crow
Destination: Zweibrücken, Germany
MACR: 10826

More information

Statement from S/Sgt Warren H. Rathbun:
"I saw 662 off to the right of our ship with the left engine smoking. It dropped down a little, slipped over underneath us, and kept going straight ahead. As we turned, 662 seemed to be under control, and before it got out of my sight, the left engine had stopped smoking. It was about to go into the overcast when it went out of my sight, but it was still under control. I also noted that part of the cowling had blown off. I did not see any parachutes."

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.findagrave.com, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Henderson Family Tree / 1920 Census, www.fold3.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Andy / patootie (from Army Air Forces Collection, Technical School - Sioux Falls, North Dakota)