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name
SMITH, John Roydon - Date of
birth
26 October 1903 -
Age
40 - Place of
birth
Laconia, Belknap County, New Hampshire -
Hometown
New Hampshire
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31110977 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner/Armorer -
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 January 1944 - Place of
death
50 km northeast of Lingen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 15 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles H. Smith (father)
Mabel E. (Floyd) Smith (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31216 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Patches
Destination: Braunschweig, Germany
MACR: 1884
More information
John Smith enlisted on 29 July 1942 in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was no doubt considered an 'old man' by the majority of other recruits he found himself with of whom most were 10-20 years.Hit by enemy fighters, their B-17 had to be ditched 50 km northeast of Lingen, Germany and the entire 10 man crew grabbed their parachutes and bailed from the damaged plane, but S/Sgt Smith's parachute failed to open.
The rest of the crew were all captured and were taken prisoner.
Source of information: www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Peter Schouteten