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name
BUCKNER, Melvin Earl - Date of
birth
1917 -
Age
unknown -
Place of birth
California -
Hometown
Ventura County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-413567 -
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel -
Function
Mission Pilot -
Unit
337th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
13 January 1945 - Place of
death
Ginsheim, near Mainz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 28 | 75 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Sterlin P. Buckner (father)
Jimmie E. (Sample) Buckner (mother)
Thomas P. Buckner (brother)
Charles W. Buckner (brother)
Marvin D. Buckner (brother)
Ann L. Buckner (sister)
Christine R. Buckner (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-8489 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Mainz, Germany
Mission: Bombing of th marshalling yards
MACR: 11570
More information
Lt Col Melvin E. Buckner attended college before he joined the Regular Army at Fort MacArthur, California on 9 September 1940.1st Lt Lloyd E. Lamb:
A/C 489 was hit by flak a few seconds after bombs away. It pulled up above formation until it appeared to stall out, then it sent into a dive, crashing near the target. Observation of chutes was restricted because of contrails.
Lt Col Buckner had no time to bail out.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – MAJ Jimmy Cottonrichard Bunk
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Major M / Richard Blunk