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name
MARTIN, Leonard Nelson - Date of
birth
30 November 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Pomeroyton, Menifee County, Kentucky -
Hometown
Pomeroyton, Menifee County, Kentucky
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35872889 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
544th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
13 September 1944 - Place of
death
Saalfeld, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 48 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Clifton R. Martin (father)
Gusta (Heizer) Martin (mother)
Thomas M. Martin (brother)
Edith A. Martin (sister)
Wanda F. Martin (sister)
Lonnie Martin (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38213 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna synthetic oil refinery
MACR: 8902
More information
Sgt Leonard N. Martin enlisted in Cincinnati, Ohio, on 27 July 1943.The airplane was hit by flak in the target area. It was last seen going down in flames and falling apart into three sections. Also, the left wing and tail snapped off.
S/Sgt Leonard N. Martin was wounded by flak and stumbled into the radio room for aid. Upon reaching there, he collapsed from lack of oxygen. A crew member placed an extra oxygen mask and supply on him and revived him as the plane started to fall. He helped him to wait to jump from the waist door because the bomb bay doors were jammed shut. As he stepped into the waist, a direct hit from flak killed him instantly.
Source of information: André Koch, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1940 Census / Martin Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, http://www.8thafhs.com
Photo source: -