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name
FOSTER, John Franklin - Date of
birth
18 April 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Lawrence County, Missouri -
Hometown
Lawrence County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
20756379 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
859th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 May 1944 - Place of
death
Brase, Neunstadt am Reubenberge, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 11 | 42 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John J. Foster (father)
Lucy O. (Head) Foster (mother)
Joseph E. Foster (brother)
Floyd E. Foster (brother)
Adalee Foster (sister)
Robert Foster (brother)
Bonnie Foster (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40065 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Silver Lady
Destination: Bernburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 5247
More information
Sgt John F. Foster enlisted the service on 4 September 1942 at Camp Cowder Neosho, Missouri.On 19 May 1944, the German Luftwaffe found the 492nd without their fighter protection as they were approaching their target at Brunswick, Germany. The Brantley Crew was shot down on the enemy's second pass of FW-190s. Their left wing had caught fire. The order was given to bail out but only four men were able to get out before the ship exploded into a fireball.
Sgt John F. Foster is remembered with a memorial marker at Mount Olive Cemetery in Marionville, Lawrence County, Missouri.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, 492nd Bomb Group, www.wwiimemorial.com, Fold3 - MACR, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - Genealogy Lover