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Personal info

Full name
JOHNSON, Melvern Edward
Date of birth
4 May 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
Hometown
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska

Military service

Service number
37481272
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner
Unit
512th Bombardment Squadron,
376th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
17 October 1944
Place of death
Southwest of Laaer Berg, Vienna, Austria

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
D 39 34

Immediate family

Members
Hiram L. Johnson (father)
Anna M. (Fletcher) Johnson (mother)
Lyle C. Johnson (brother)
Marie L. Johnson (sister)
Leonora R. Johnson (sister)
Irving W. Johnson (brother)
Mildred Johnson (sister)
Marion Johnson (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-51401
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Vienna, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the Vienna Motor Works
MACR: 12262

More information

Crew members of other planes in the group saw this airplane peel to the right just after the bomb run. #2 engine was on fire and #3 and #4 engines were smoking badly.

S/Sgt Johson was initially buried at the central cemetery of Vienna.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com – Loren Bender, http://aircrewremembered.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Loren Bender