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name
JOHNSTON, William J - Date of
birth
3 April 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Ohio -
Hometown
Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-678417 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
535th Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
5 November 1943 - Place of
death
Hollandsch Diep near the town of Klundert, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| I | 9 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank M. Johnston (father)
Cecelia A. (Gilroanan) Johnston (mother)
F. Donald Johnston (brother)
Edward J. Johnston (brother)
Charles J. Johnston (brother)
L. Robert Johnston (brother)
Paul J. Johnston (brother)
Hugh H. Johnston (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30852 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Hot Toddy aka Blowin' Bessie
Destination: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the synthetic oil refinery
MACR: 1399
More information
William Johnston attended high school for four years and was a laboratory technician.He joined the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Cleveland, Ohio.
The airplane was hit by flak over the target, knocking out #2 engine. Oil vapor came out the #2 nacelle and the propeller was windmilling. also #1 engine was hit and was feathered. It kept up with the formation for about ten minutes and then dropped out and was observed to be losing altitude. Later the plane was attacked by German fighters, hitting it near the cockpit.
Some of the crew members jumped out before the plane hit the water of the Hollandsch Diep near the village named Klundert.
Lt Johnston, who was hit in the face and neck, landed with his parachute in the water and drowned. His body was found later that day. He was initially buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Oosterhout.
In total seven crew members were killed from which six were never recovered. Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner.
The wreck of the plane was recovered in October 1969.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Harry M.T. Kennis, Arie-Jan van Hees - Bomb 43-06 Midland Texas / Pilot 43-C Bruce Fd Texas