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name
MEEHAN, Edward A - Date of
birth
30 October 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Troy, Rensselaer County, New York -
Hometown
Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
42120214 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
760th Bombardment Squadron,
460th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 December 1944 - Place of
death
Thal, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 37 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James A. Meehan (father)
Mildred Meehan (mother)
James H. Meehan (brother)
Margaret H. Meehan (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40514 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Mexicali Rose
Destination: Graz, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the railroad yards
MACR: 10925
More information
Cpl Edward A. Meehan enlisted in Albany, New York on 12 January 1944.According to co-pilot 2nd Lt Leonard I. Lee, who survived the mission, the airplane was hit by flak in the nose section.
This occured just after releasing the bombs. The airplane lost altitude very quickly. Suddenly it went into a slow spiral and continued going down and finally going into a tight spin.
Five crew members survived and were taken prisoner, four men were killed. Their remains were found in the wreckage. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Thal, Austria.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: -