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name
JOHNSTON, George Roderick - Date of
birth
15 September 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Leadville Ward 3, Lake, Colorado -
Hometown
Gallatin County, Montana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
19055921 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
532nd Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 October 1943 - Place of
death
Dörrieloh, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Robert O. Johnston (father)
Elizabeth G. (Mullen) Johnston (mother)
Roy Johnston (brother)
Ruth E. Johnston (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29854 -
Data
Type: B-17 F VE-B
Nickname: Ole Flak Sack
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Deschimag U-boat industry plant
MACR: 1395
More information
S/Sgt George R. Johnston graduated from Bozeman High School in 1938 where he played football. He worked for Bozeman Sheet Metal works.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Missoula, Montana on 23 December 1941.
The aircraft was shot down by Fw Walter Hornburg in a BF-110G-2 of ZG 1/1. It exploded in the air.
Two crew members were taken prisoner, eight were killed.
The pictures were taken in high school in 1938.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Johnston Family Tree / 1920 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Rachel Phillips - Gallatin Historical Society/Gallatin History Museum; Gallatin High News, 1938