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name
WILKERSON, John Raymond - Date of
birth
23 July 1911 -
Age
33 - Place of
birth
Benton, Saline County, Arkansas -
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39705452 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
748th Bombardment Squadron,
457th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
31 July 1944 - Place of
death
Perlach, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 31 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William A. Wilkerson (father)
Lennie E. (Miller) Wilkerson (mother)
Wilma Wilkerson (sister)
Clara L. Wilkerson (wife)
Margaret L. Wilkerson (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97087 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Tujunga
Destination: Munich, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the BMW airplane engine works
MACR: 7829
More information
2nd Lt John R. Wilkerson was employed at the Douglas Aircraft factory.The airplane a direct hit by flak over the target area. Engine #1 caught fire and a wing broke off. The plane spiraled down and exploded.
Seven crew members were killed.
Lt Wilkerson didn’t bail out.
He is remembered at the Old Rosemont Cemetery in Benton, Saline County, Arkansas.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Brewer Family Tree / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – CJ / Albert Ledoux
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – A Osman / Carolyn Deloach, www.457thbombgroupassoc.org