Memorial

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2nd Lt John H. Penisten graduated from David Henry Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri in 1938.

He enlisted at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on 30 March 1942.

His squadron was based at Hardwick, Norfolk, England and 2nd Lt Penisten was part of the ten-man crew for the large aircraft B-24 serving as Bombardier. He and his crew set out on their final flight, a bombing mission to the city of Bremen in Germany, over the North Sea, when they were close to the German border their plane was shot at by German planes. All crew members died when the plane, named “Queenie” went down into the North Sea.

The aircraft was out of formation with the other planes flying. The pilot, Capt Ralph P. Gewehr, realized his error and thought he turned back to rejoin the group of planes. At that time the B-24 was attacked by enemy aircraft. The #2 engine was on fire and the plane went into a cloud in a flat spin. One of the wings may have been gone. The other planes in the formation could not tell 100% the events due to poor visibility and weather conditions. A report was filed January 12, 1944 by Capt John J. Hinch after a complete investigation.

Lt Penisten is remembered at Columbia Cemetery at Columbia Cemetery in Columbia, Boone County, Missouri with a memorial marker.