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name
MINIHAN, Thomas James - Date of
birth
5 August 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
20301527 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 July 1944 - Place of
death
Neuwegerleben, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 12 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas Minihan (father)
Margaret Minihan (mother)
Joseph Minihan (brother)
Alice Minihan (sister)
Margaret Minihan (sister)
Mary Minihan (sister)
Anna Minihan (sister)
Elizabeth J. (O'Hora) Minihan (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40086 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Laura Jo
Destination: Bernburg, Germany
MACR: 7831
More information
S/Sgt Thomas J. Minihan graduated from St. Anne's High School in 1941.He enlisted on 17 February 1941 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was sent overseas in April 1944.
The airplane was attacked by German fighters. It spun and suddenly exploded, killing all crew members. The pieces of the plane were scattered over a large area. Only the tail section was found somewhat intact. All of the bodies were recovered but three of them couldn't be identified.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, 492nd Bomb Group, Pennsylvania Compensation Application, 1940 US Census
Photo source: 492nd Bomb Group, Peter Schouteten, The Times Tribune - 21 July 1945